The Whitsdom Press

Category: history

  • A Dark Secret in Maryland’s Backyard

    Behind an old jail for kids in Maryland, there is a field. This is not a normal field. It is a graveyard. But there are no headstones. No names. No flowers. Instead, there are just small metal stakes with numbers on them. This is where hundreds of Black boys were buried. They died while locked up at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center in Prince George’s County. For a long time, this was a secret. Now, people are finding out. And they are asking hard questions about how this could happen.

    What Was Cheltenham?

    Cheltenham was a place where boys who got in trouble with the law were sent. It opened a long time ago, in the 1870s. Most of the boys sent there were Black. The stories from inside were bad. Boys faced cruel treatment and lived in dirty, crowded places. They were often there for small crimes, like stealing bread. One report says a boy was sent there for just riding a freight train.

    The Boys Buried in the Field

    The boys buried in the field died between the late 1800s and the 1950s. The number of graves is shocking. One report says there are 230 bodies buried there. Another says 63. Either way, it is a lot of young lives lost. How did they die? Some got sick with diseases like tuberculosis. But many died from horrible neglect and abuse. One news report shares a story from 1955. It tells of a 15-year-old boy who died after being put in a straitjacket for days. This was used as punishment. His body was just buried in the field. The state of Maryland knew about these deaths, but they did nothing to stop it. They just buried the boys with numbers, not their names.

    Why Was This Kept a Secret?

    This graveyard was hidden because the boys were seen as unimportant. They were poor, Black, and had no one to speak for them. The system treated them like problems, not people. When they died, the state did not call their families. They just buried them on the property. It was cheap and easy. It was a way to hide the evidence of their bad treatment. For decades, officials knew about this place. But they did not tell the public. They let the grass grow over the graves.

    People Are Fighting for the Truth

    Now, lawmakers and community groups are fighting for these boys. They want to give them their names back. They are looking through old records to find out who each boy was. The goal is to put real headstones with their names on the graves. A state lawmaker who visited the site called it “horrible neglect.” He said it is proof of a deep racism in the system that we must face. This is not just about the past. It is about today. We still have a problem where Black boys are treated more harshly than white boys by the police and courts. Remembering these boys helps us see that this is an old problem. And it reminds us to fight for a better, fairer system for all kids.

    A Place of Remembering

    That field in Maryland is more than just dirt. It is a place of deep sadness and a broken promise. Each number in the ground was a child. A child with a name, a family, and a story that was cut short. By learning their story, we can finally give these boys what they were denied in life and death. We can offer them respect. We also promise that they will not be forgotten again.

  • Honoring the Black Slaves Who Fought and Died in America’s Wars: A Memorial Day Tribute

    Memorial Day is a time to remember all the men and women. They gave their lives in service to the United States. But the Black slaves who fought and died in America’s wars are often left out of the spotlight. This is especially true during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. These brave individuals, though enslaved, risked everything for freedom and a chance at a better life.

    Black Slaves in the Revolutionary War (1775–1783)

    When the Revolutionary War began, both the British and American armies promised freedom to slaves who joined their side. Thousands of enslaved Black men chose to fight. Crispus Attucks was a man of African and Native American descent. He was one of the earliest known martyrs of the American Revolution. He is remembered as the first person killed in the Boston Massacre of 1770. This event helped ignite the Revolutionary War. About 5,000 Black men fought for the Continental Army during the war. Many were promised their freedom in exchange for their service. On the other side, some enslaved individuals joined the British forces. The British also offered liberty to those who escaped and supported their cause. These individuals became known as “Black Loyalists.” After the war, many were relocated. They moved to places like Canada and Sierra Leone.

    Black Slaves in the Civil War (1861–1865)

    The Civil War marked a major shift for African Americans. More than 180,000 Black men served in the Union Army, and many of them were formerly enslaved. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. It officially allowed Black men to enlist in the Union military. This provided them a path to fight for their freedom and the freedom of others. One of the most well-known Black regiments was the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Their courageous efforts, particularly during the attack on Fort Wagner in South Carolina, were later depicted in the movie Glory. Many of these soldiers were once enslaved. They fought with unmatched bravery and determination. Their efforts helped to change the course of the war.

    After the War

    Despite their sacrifices, many Black veterans faced racism and were denied the same honors and benefits as their white counterparts. Yet, their courage and service became a foundation for the civil rights movements that would follow. Their stories are a testament to resilience, strength, and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in America.

    Remembering Their Sacrifice

    Today, Memorial Day is a chance to honor well-known heroes. It’s also an opportunity to honor those whose names have been lost to history. Black slaves who became soldiers showed incredible bravery and a deep desire for freedom. As we visit cemeteries or watch parades, we should also reflect on the unnamed soldiers who died without recognition. We should remember the families who never got to see their loved ones return. We should consider the fight for freedom that continues even today.

    Conclusion

    On this Memorial Day, let us honor all who died for this country. We should include the brave Black slaves who fought in hopes of a better future. Their legacy is part of America’s story, and we must never forget them.