African Americans in Florida: An Illustrated History [Paperback]

Maxine D Jones (Author), Kevin M McCarthy (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1993

Over 400 years ago, in 1528, an African named Estevanico first set foot in Florida near present-day Tampa as part of a Spanish exploration party. Since then, African Americans in Florida have continued to set examples of courage, perseverance, and leadership. In this book you will read about some people you may already know about--such as Ray Charles and Carrie Pittman Meek--and many others whose lives are also inspirational, even if their names are not so familiar. Though many African Americans started life in poverty and had to fight racial injustice, their stories prove that the desire to succeed can overcome many obstacles. They followed their dreams to become teachers, artists, soldiers, lawyers, nurses, sports stars, authors, and many other occupations. Their important contributions to the state and to the country enrich us all.

This book also includes detailed descriptions of the 141 historical and cultural sites on the Florida Black Heritage Trail and a calendar of significant dates in the history of African Americans in Florida.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Brief, easily understandable essays on Florida's black history. . . an excellent introduction to the subject. ----Tampa Tribune

A new textbook -- the first of its kind in Florida . . . it covers the stuff of today's traditional textbooks. But it also covers -- sometimes in stunning detail -- things those other textbooks left out. ---- The News Herald (Panama City)

From the Inside Flap

People from all walks of life are represented. Josiah Walls was Florida's only congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1870s. Mary McLeod Bethune devoted her life to education, eventually founding Bethune-Cookman College. James Weldon Johnson, an author, composer, diplomat and civil rights leader, wrote the Negro Antional Anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and was a leader in the early years of the NAACP. Clara Frye kept a hospital in Tampa open in the early 1900s. Zora Neale Hurston, an author and student of anthropology, researched and popularized Florida folklore.

This book also tells of some of the whites who were active in the fight against racial injustice and inequality. Zephaniah Kingsley, for example, a far-thinking plantation owner in the 1820s, taught his slaves skills and helped them to win their freedom. He married one of his slaves and willed his property to her. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who lived for a time in Florida, brought the evils of slavery to a wider audience through her popular book, Uncle Tom's Cabin.

To round out this survey of African Americans in Florida, the authors have provided a detailed description of the 141 sites on the Florida Black Heritage Trail which mark African American contributions to culture and history. The book also includes a month-by-month calendar of important dates that highlight the history, culture, setbacks and successes of one of the state's largest minorities.

Throughout this volume, the authors have shown not only the tremendous accomplishments of exemplary African Americans in their own communities and in the country as a whole, but also how far society must still go before continuing struggle for racial equality will be won.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Pineapple Pr; First Edition edition (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156164031X
• ISBN-13: 978-1561640317
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #863,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Florida African American History, October 19, 2009

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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: African Americans in Florida: An Illustrated History (Paperback)

I purchased this book to donate to an after school program here in Florica for children, many of whom are African Americans. There is very little available documenting the African American experience here in our area in Florida and I felt it was important that children had access to such a book.