Hi! For our second Political Spotlight I'm focusing on another pioneer in government. I could have sworn I'd featured him in a past series, but I think he was another of my rollover entrants and I never got around to it. What I think is interesting about today's entrant is that he represents the opposite party from what most Blacks politically identify as today. It really illustrates how the political landscape has so drastically shifted in the time that today's entrant rose to prominence until now. I'd recommend exploring that on your own time as well; it made me question my own political leanings and want to find out how and why politics have changed over the last couple of centuries. Let's get into it!
Name: Hiram Rhodes Revels, 1827-1901
Profession: US Senator, minister, educator
Why is the Spotlight on him today? For his groundbreaking accomplishments in the world of politics
Notables:
--Was the first Black US Senator and served for two years during Reconstruction, then as interim Secretary of State a few years later after the sitting SoC died
--Fought in the Civil War as a recruiter for the USCT (United State Colored Troops), organized two regiments of troops and later served as a chaplain
--Served as a principal to an all-Black school
--Was known in his political career for his moderate opinions and diplomacy on the floor
--Made his first course of action reinstating the southern Black politicians who had been forced out of office before his tenure began
--Served as the first president of what is now Alcorn State University
--Was primarily a preacher for the first part of his career and was even arrested for preaching to Blacks in Missouri; continued to preach throughout his political and educational tenure
--Initially faced opposition to his appointment to the Senate because of his race; the Democrats cited Dred Scott (a law that dictated that Blacks could never be seen or recognized as American citizens) as their primary reason and therefore did not fulfill the mandatory criteria of US citizenship
--Made racial equality a large basis of his platform during his political career, calling for the ending of segregation as a legal requirement, singling out the segregation in public schools to help make his point
--Was able to secure jobs for Black men at the Washington Navy Yard, which had not at that time started hiring Black workers
Further reading and resources:
Quotes of the Day:
"I remarked that I rose to plead for protection for the defenseless race that now send their delegation to the seat of Government to sue for that which this Congress alone can secure to them. And here let me say further, that the people of the North owe to the colored race a deep obligation that is no easy matter to fulfill.”
“I find that the prejudice in this country to color is very great, and I sometimes fear that it is on the increase…. If the nation should take a step for the encouragement of this prejudice against the colored race, can they have any grounds upon which to predicate a hope that Heaven will smile upon them and prosper them?”
-Hiram Rhodes Revels
Today's organization: Blacks in Government
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What does this organization provide? Initially, support to Black employees in civil service in the Rockville area but has since expanded to provide the same support and resources for Blacks in civil service and government at all levels across the nation. The organization provides Black civil service employees with the platform they need to confront inequalities in their workplaces and communities, a solid support system to keep them encouraged and able to do their best, and a collective source of strength for them to achieve their goals.
See you tomorrow!
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