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America’s history is stained. Without a doubt, there are some VERY DARK PERIODS with some VERY BAD ACTIONS & DIRE CONSEQUENCES. America is not alone in having created a history that is less than desirable. However, “history” is a funny thing. At 51 years and someone who works in “education”, I am JUST NOW beginning to learn THIS part of my country’s history. How is that possible? More importantly, if others, especially the young minority men with whom I work a lot of my time, knew this aspect of American history, would it change things?

I do not think of myself as a “white supremacist.” I hope I actively work in opposition to such a concept. But recently, I have learned about Anthony Johnson, an African man from Angola who was brought to America in the 17th century as an indentured servant. He worked hard his entire life, and not only did he earn his freedom as a “negro” but he owned land (250 acres at the time of his death) and he had “servants” (four of whom were white (European) and one black (African)). Anthony Johnson was also the first person in the American colonies who went to the courts to fight for “legal ownership for life” of John Casor, an indentured servant from Africa who Anthony Johnson had “sponsored” to come to the colonies.

John Casor was not a hard worker and Anthony Johnson went to the courts to argue the “debt” of bringing John Casor to the colonies would never be paid in full and that he should “own” John Casor for the entirety of his life, in order to recoup the money he had spent. Although there is some ambiguity in who was the first “slave owner” in the American colonies, there is NO DOUBT Anthony Johnson was one of the first.

I mentioned white supremacy because many people who are tied to this ideology make use of this part of American history. I also want to make use of this part of American history, but hopefully in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MANNER. I expend a HUGE AMOUNT OF ENERGY & RESOURCES throughout my day in trying to get young people to believe they have opportunities for success. I also realize that many of the kids with whom I work receive SO MANY MORE messages throughout their day they are doomed to fail and they are ONLY meant to be a “victim” in this life. Everything in this life is stacked against them and there is NO CHANCE for success. How AMAZING would it feel to be a young African American student from an impoverished community to study the story of Anthony Johnson? A young African brought to the American colonies who worked hard and achieved the “American Dream?” Not a victim. Not oppressed. Just a man who was brought to this land in less than ideal circumstances but saw opportunities and took advantage.

This “knowledge” is really messing with me. I don’t think of myself as dumb or uneducated. And yet, this is a story I DID NOT KNOW for 51 years. I don’t look at this story as an African “owning” another person. The importance of this story to me is that Anthony Johnson is an example of “empowerment” in American history. Is this “story” being taught in American History classes? Are other aspects of slavery and American history I am just now learning about being taught also? Is what we are teaching in schools actually benefitting our children? I fully acknowledge that Anthony Johnson’s descendants were stripped of all this man accumulated in his lifetime and that horrible and unforgivable acts were committed against his own kin and so many others… but that DOES NOT DIMINISH EVERYTHING ANTHONY JOHNSON ACHIEVED in his lifetime.

Anthony Johnson “owned” another human being. Not good! No way around that one. However, during this time in history in the American colonies, there were many people who had “servants”, both African and European. Slavery has been a part of human history for thousands of years and it continues today. Although slavery is a stain on American history that can never be removed (and shouldn’t), the REALITY (all of it… the good, the bad, the ugly, the horrific, the successes… all of it) should be shared, to the best of our ability. Anthony Johnson “owned” a slave. Anthony Johnson also achieved the American Dream as a “negro.” Is this being taught in our schools? I don’t honestly know. But I think it should be…

As flawed as this country is, America offers opportunities. It has offered opportunities for a long time! Yes, I get it. The opportunities have not always been “equal”, but they are ALWAYS there. In the end, THAT is what I would like to teach…