Centuries later, slaves are honored for erecting the Capitol

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Reid Davenport | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Even though George Washington laid the ceremonial first brick of the U.S. Capitol, the people that did most of the dangerous, back-breaking construction under the hot sun of the Potomac weren't considered full citizens. In fact, they weren't considered full people.

For about 220 years, the fact that enslaved African-Americans built the U.S. Capitol is rarely mentioned and never recognized. Until now.

The leaders of both parties of the Senate and the House of Representatives gathered on Wednesday to unveil a plaque honoring the slaves who helped build the U.S. Capitol.

"In the words of President Lincoln: 'We cannot escape history,'" said the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. "And with this plaque, we embrace history. We celebrate it."

Long time civil rights activist U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) was the head of the task force designated to recognize these slaves. He said the plaques would "shed light on a long-hidden truth" and give these African-Americans the recognition they deserve.

After centuries in existence, including when both the White House and Capitol were burned by the British in the War of 1812, the plaque is the first to formally recognize the contributions of slaves in the construction of much of Washington's historic landmarks.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) praised these men for constructing the Capitol with "graceful designs," while building a symbol of a freedom that they didn't have.

The task force is "helping to make sure that future generations continue to tell the whole story of this place and of our nation," said Republican Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell.

For Jesse Holland, author of "Black Men Built the Capitol", this commemoration is long overdue.

"Congress's actions will bring to life the contributions of African-American slaves, not only in the Capitol, but to other buildings in D.C.," Holland said.

Holland said the fact that slaves built the White House also remains unrecognized by many. However, he applauds Congress' decision to name the Capitol's visitors center as Proclamation Hall, in dedication to slaves who helped build the Capitol.

"Putting up this plaque is another step in trying to acknowledge some of the heart of history that has been overlooked," he said.

As Holland sat in attendance of the unveiling, he knew that work was still to be done and debt still owed to many former slaves who constructed buildings throughout the U.S.

"As we look back over the history of the country, the contributions of African-American slaves have not been acknowledged," Holland said.

Wednesday's plaque unveiling ceremony changed that.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchy...l#ixzz0r7aJV1Ut

[Obama 2012 1,714]

oh good. More ** stupidity that gets everyone on board to recognize things that are meaningless today...

"We must repent for the past and recognize our evil doings. America sucks. We were built on BS. We hate the constitution because there were slaves back then and anything written in slave times is wrong. We really need to embrace tyranny of all, as it's not fair that some were free and others weren't" bla bla bla....

[IndigoSkies 168]

oh good. More ** stupidity that gets everyone on board to recognize things that are meaningless today...

"We must repent for the past and recognize our evil doings. America sucks. We were built on BS. We hate the constitution because there were slaves back then and anything written in slave times is wrong. We really need to embrace tyranny of all, as it's not fair that some were free and others weren't" bla bla bla....

Paul, are you aware that you're an idiot? I just want to make sure that you are aware of this fact. If you didn't know, consider this to be a friendly reminder.

[웃 910]

Eric erects the capitol from time to time.

[Heracles 417]

Paul, are you aware that you're an idiot? I just want to make sure that you are aware of this fact. If you didn't know, consider this to be a friendly reminder.

Why? What do such actions achieve? Does it progress the country? Does it progress AA? Do AA even care about this stuff?

Libs yanks have been beating this tune for years yet where has it gotten the country or the AA people?

In other words, it's a waste of time. After all, you are already building an AA museum in D.C. Which to me is a slap in the face for the millions of other immigrants, certainly for the American Indians, the Chinese who built the intercontinental railways, the Irish and Italians who built much of the country and so forth.

Edited June 17, 2010 by Booyah!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

oh good. More ** stupidity that gets everyone on board to recognize things that are meaningless today...

"We must repent for the past and recognize our evil doings. America sucks. We were built on BS. We hate the constitution because there were slaves back then and anything written in slave times is wrong. We really need to embrace tyranny of all, as it's not fair that some were free and others weren't" bla bla bla....

Should we forget the Holocaust ever happened? The Trail of Tears? Does bleaching history make it more palatable to you?

Edited June 17, 2010 by El Buscador

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

oh good. More ** stupidity that gets everyone on board to recognize things that are meaningless today...

"We must repent for the past and recognize our evil doings. America sucks. We were built on BS. We hate the constitution because there were slaves back then and anything written in slave times is wrong. We really need to embrace tyranny of all, as it's not fair that some were free and others weren't" bla bla bla....

The source of white guilt.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Why? What do such actions achieve? Does it progress the country? Does it progress AA? Do AA even care about this stuff?

Libs yanks have been beating this tune for years yet where has it gotten the country or the AA people?

What does Alcoholics Anonymous have to do with this?

Edited June 17, 2010 by Mr. Saigon

[Heracles 417]

Should we forget the Holocaust ever happened? The Trail of Tears? Does bleaching history make it more palatable to you?

No you move on. Lib yanks like yourself have a knack for dwelling on ####### like this but never actually achieving anything. After all, there is a reason why you guys rarely receive any international recognition for much of your bandwagon issues. Furthermore, are being beaten at your own game by conservatives [of all people] abroad. However, that is when you guys pull a Repub and couldn't care less to look at the actual quantifiable achievements of others abroad. For example, lets look at Canada for health care but ignore them on religion or rights; which go against our lib yank ideals.

Edited June 17, 2010 by Booyah!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No you move on.

It took the Catholic Church several centuries before they officially apologized for condemning Galileo's scientific observations as heretical.

[Heracles 417]

It took the Catholic Church several centuries before they officially apologized for condemning Galileo's scientific observations as heretical.

From advocating for totally open borders [in a country of 310 million], to apologizing for everything, to tea-party idiots and finally the lib yank, I don't know what is worse. Evidently, America's worst enemy is truly Americans.

How about focusing on solving the plight of the AA community? Or telling me how illegal aliens help AA get out of poverty? Or discussing the two threads on here of AA having 10 plus kids, yet being unemployed; basically sentencing their kid's future to a life of poverty. Nah, you guys don't focus on that do you, but prefer to apologize and hunt down those racists.

Edited June 17, 2010 by Booyah!

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

Should we forget the Holocaust ever happened? The Trail of Tears? Does bleaching history make it more palatable to you?

speaking of which, when is native american month?

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

Mmmmm...I wonder how we can best memorialize slaves having a noteworthy erection in the Capitol?

[Heracles 417]

speaking of which, when is native american month?

Personally, I'd rather be taken out of a poverty stricken third world country, segregated, housed, feed, cursed every now and then and forced to pick cotton than be treated in the manner Indian Americans were treated.

It's just amazing that so many focus on the slavery aspect but ignore the overall picture. Ignore how these people where treated in their mother country, prior to being sold off and shipped here.

Edited June 17, 2010 by Booyah!

[Nagishkaw 510]