Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

[Return to Poems and Thoughts index page]

Slavery--Here?--In OUR History? During the '70's, I was hired to teach by the University in Lesotho, Africa. Lesotho, being very small, I would occasionally travel to the surrounding South Africa. This large, Apartheid country had a white ruling minority. Apartheid means 'apartness' and mimicked the segregation in my US country. There, I witnessed many examples of cruelty and segregation between 'races'. Many years later, I heard Nikki Haley question slavery in historical US, While challenging Trump for the presidency. I, and many others, were incredulous listening to her denials! A citizen here must admit that our White House construction used slave labor. Now Florida's governor has created laws to soften historical facts. My point here, is that the aftermath of our sad history Has left many 'historical fossils', manifesting what actually occurred. I heard today about the founding of 'Easter Monday', When Blacks in our country started this celebration after 1878, (When segregated egg rolling at the White House was initiated as an Easter celebration), Because Black people were forced to work on Easter sunday. They appeared on Monday and celebrated in all their finery, (Just as their white counterparts did on Sunday!), On the next, closest day to the period, when hopes for some of the white world members Celebrated the new Sunday day of--'hope for the world has arisen'. If one leafs through the fossil historical recorded accounts, One finds numerous reported facts which, of course, clinch this slave history. In the light of Florida's actions today, do many really wish to 'leaf through'? Frank Maurer 1 April 2024 0820 Hours.