His Promised Land book review essays

His Promised Land book review essays The autobiography of John P. Parker, a former slave and conductor of the Underground Railroad, could be best described as the life time battle of one man against slavery of the African American people. In his own definition of this great injustice, that sadly effected many lives, Parker describes slavery as a phenomenon that "was the making of a human being as an animal without hope . . . and that slavery's curse was not pain of the body, but pain of the soul"(Parker, p26). This troubled him so much that he devoted his life to make a change. Although he often risked his own life along the way, he not only fought for his own freedom, but for the freedom of other slaves as well. His struggle takes place during the darkest time for blacks, particularly in the southern regions of the United States, and part of the most shameful of American history. Slavery was introduced in 1619 as a response to a shortage of labor in southern plantations. By the 1700s, the height of slavery, enslaved blacks came to outnumber whites in the south almost two to one. Between 1730 and 1760, as a response to a fear of black revolts, laws were passed to establish white control over the status of black slaves, enshrining it into law (Mckay, p895). Economics led to the social and legal institutionalization of black slavery, racist arguments were a means of justifying that institutionalization. In the last throws of the struggle, only years before Lincolns 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, that led the way for the eventual abolishment of slavery, Parkers struggle is significant because it was against a centuries old practice and a deeply entrenched institution in Southern states. Parker's memoirs reveal an interesting account of the life of a slave in the mid 1800s and, more important, as an Underground Railroad participant The Underground Railroad was a network of free African Americans and sympathetic whites that concealed, cl...

The History of the Valentines Day Origins

The History of the Valentines Day Origins St Valentines Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of Valentines day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow. Several theories surround the history of Valentines Day. Was There a Real Valentine? Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailers daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailers daughter a farewell letter, signing it From Your Valentine. Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him. Bishop Valentine? Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200. He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake. Feast of Lupercalia The ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, a spring festival, on the 15th of February, held in honor of a goddess. Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. With the introduction of Christianity, the holiday moved to the 14th of February. The Christians had come to celebrate February 14 as the saint day that celebrated the several early Christian martyrs named Valentine. Choosing a Sweetheart on Valentines Day The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14! In A.D. 496, Saint Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as Valentines Day. Although its not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day. Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentines Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special and share a special song with them. Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Â  Most people send valentine a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine received in jail. Greeting Cards Probably the first greeting cards, handmade valentines, appeared in the 16th century. As early as 1800, companies began mass-producing cards. Initially, these cards were hand-colored by factory workers. By the early 20th century even fancy lace and ribbon strewn cards were created by machine.