In choosing a topic to speak and write about today the word “Exploited” comes to mind with all that is happening around us.
Exploited Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
Sometimes I must figure out who is exploiting whom.
I’m sure in your unconscious memory, it’s not a word that you are consciously thinking all the time or have thought about lately.
In striving to keep me abreast of being a better-informed person and my mind sharper I’m always grateful when I learn about something that I didn’t know before.
As they say, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Frederick D. Patterson
Particularly of other cultures and how they might see how we in the United States take things for granted.
Inevitably history is being rewritten under various images.
It’s not a matter of keeping score, however personally it’s an understanding of where we are in making progress over time.
Last week my travels took me to Tuskegee, AL this week it was Birmingham, AL.
As more and more people tell their stories about slave trades not only in America but abroad, I was able to learn something about Jamacia this past weekend that I was unaware of until Friday, February 21, 2025.
This was possible through an in-person event sponsored by the Birmingham VA Hospital celebrating Black History Month with their employees and the community.
The theme this year is “Afro Caribbean Celebration.”
The guest speaker was Pauline Ford-Caesar, Veteran and Founder of the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization (CACAO). Pauline spoke about those who were exploited as slaves from Africa to work on the developing sugar plantations and those who refused to be exploited such as the Maroons.
I learned about the Jamaican Maroon wars and the only female Maroon leader, Nanny has acquired a superior position in the heritage of Jamaica. Nanny is known for her elusive presence, fierceness in battle, and Obeah skills that have attracted much attention.
nlj.gov.jm/history-notes/The Maroons edited final.htm
Knowing about sugar plantations in Louisiana and South Carolina reawakened my thoughts of how many blacks, slaves or not, through their service helped make others wealthy on these plantations.
My Friday evening concluded with a live documentary about a Marine Major James Capers who told about being taken in by a white family who nursed him back to health and then later in life joined the Marines. James Capers spoke of his father being a sharecropper as well. Being exploited was an understatement for Major James Capers.
Sharecropping: Definition and Dates | HISTORY
The documentary was the 5th installment of Season 1, BLK OPS – Uncommon Stories from US Special Operations. This particular episode was dedicated to the legacy of Major James Capers Jr. A 2 x Medal of Honor nominee, a Marine Force Recon legend, and an overall All-American hero.
A Pay-Per-View event well worth the time and money of “Experiencing an Unforgettable Evening with Capers.”
I also had a chance to listen to a Live Q&A with James Capers answering various questions to the audience in Ohio.
This week I received more stories that I was unaware of and it complimented my quests for learning more about Black History in the process.
Speaking of Black History the 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones is a book I read over two years ago from cover to cover, after hearing about the 1619 Project essay.
The 1619 Project essay by Nikole Hannah-Jones, writers from The New York Times, and The New York Times Magazine heightened my awareness even more about slavery and the contributions of Black Americans which is why I had to buy the book.
Yet today, it’s almost as if no one wants to talk about the specific contributions of Black Americans until Black History Month.
There is a certain sense of pride within all of us as I have learned to love my enemies even the ones who try not to show it.
Luke 6:35-38 KJV – But love ye your enemies, and do good, – Bible Gateway
Today, as conversations about the 1619 Project being banned in schools continue; I know with so much uncertainty, if you are an educator, it could cost you your job to discuss any parts of this in your curriculum.
As anti-DEI pressure escalates, educators calculate risks
I’m also aware that Project 1776 right after The 1619 Project was released had a different narrative based on which side of the aisle you were standing on.
Today, I realize that history is always being reinterpreted and rewritten by those in power. In the words of Pittacus Lore ~ “You know the saying: he who doesn’t understand history is doomed to repeat it. And when it’s repeated, the stakes are doubled.” I don’t encourage anyone to accept distorted versions of history without questions.
The-Presidents-Advisory-1776-Commission-Final-Report.pdf
What’s the difference between Project 1619 and Project 1776?
1619 vs 1776 • New American History
As I think about the word exploited, I would be remised if I didn’t mention the word empathy. In understanding empathy, many of us have not walked in the shoes of those who live outside of the United States. We may not understand how they were exploited or are still being exploited today; however, there is a sense of empathy for not only the people of Jamacia but others who were exploited as slaves.
I know that Jamacia has come a long way since its independence from Monarchy in 1962 to a member of the Commonwealth.
Jamaica Independence, 1962 | The National Library of Jamaica
The United States remains with its many challenges that continue to exist and were supposed to be a democracy.
Let’s not forget what is going on in Ukraine and how they are being exploited too.
Ukraine | Today’s latest from Al Jazeera
The song by Sam Cooke “A Change is Gonna Come” is my reminder to have faith that it will all work out. How each of us holds to our values is up to us.
“A Change is Gonna Come” | Songwriters Hall of Fame
As we close out the month of February this week, today, I challenge you to think about all the people who have been exploited around the world. We should attempt to love our enemies by walking in peace with them. Let us also remember the song by Sam Cooke “A Change is Gonna Come.” This should be your reminder as well, to have faith that it will all work out.
Thanks for sharing CM. I really appreciate the history lesson, and I made a promise to myself that I would learn more about our history this year as there is always opportunities to grow. Additionally, I have been disappointed with some things happening in society, but I remind myself to simply stay in prayer.
Terrance,
This month has been interesting to say the least. I believe the more we know about our history the better we can inform others. Prayer is a good thing. Please pray for me as well!
CM
McKinley,
It is always excellent to be a life learner. I am glad you had the opportunity to learn about Jamaica and by extension Caribbean history. It is very important to black history. We all have so much similarities. Interestingly when we think of exploitation of humanity we realize it includes all races of people. Empathy is the word.
As for re-writing history. I see history is history. We have to try to do better. But, knowing our history is fundamental to progress now and the future.
This topic today is very expansive.
Thank you for sharing.
Lucretia
Lucretia,
Thank you so much for adding value to my blog. Because I know of the challenges with the Bahamian people and how they were exploited, I’m honored to receive your comments.
I appreciate you taking the time to post your comments.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
McKinley
I appreciate you sharing what you are learning McKinley. I have more to read up on.
This week I learned about the Kerner Commission report which clearly exposed the systemic racism that fostered the growing inequity in our country in the 1960s. This is a historic document that never came up in any of my U S history classes. The President at the time commissioned it!
We have to not censor this (and other) part(s) of our history.
Please continue to share what you learn, we need to know!