Today is Martin Luther King Day. We have time off (teachers as well
as others in government positions) to pay homage to Martin Luther King.
I am white, non-prejudiced, and have carried some shame for what my
race has perpetuated onto the black race.
help his people. In other words, I get why this recognition of MLK is
important.
However, as a history buff, I hate when other important figures, in a cause,
are overlooked. The person I refer to is Ulysses S. Grant- the guy who led
the northern armies to win the Civil War and free the slaves.
( He also served two terms as a U. S. president.) More than that
Ulysses S. Grant gave refuge to thousands of runaway slaves; clothed them,
fed them, protected them and also drafted thousands of them to fight the
Confederacy, their former masters and subjugators.
As I read GRANT by Ron Chernow, I wonder, "Do black citizens of this
country know what Grant did for them?"
There is no Ulysses S. Grant Day. He is not included in the celebration of
important presidents. Grant is not one of the faces on Mt. Rushmore.
Excuse me! Who accomplished more to save our union than Ulysses S Grant?
Who fought harder to free the slaves?
I do wonder if Martin Luther King was aware of who Ulysses S. Grant was
and what he did for the black race.
Keep reading, folks. GRANT by Ron Chernow would be a good start.
I honor both MLK and U. S. Grant as the two men most prominent in
fighting for equality in the United States of America.!
raintreepoet, ruminating.
