Western Massaschusetts has had a storied history of many civil rights and anti-slavery activists, including Soujourner Truth, David Ruggles, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass. All of these civil rights activists should be remembered and honored on this MLK Day.
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About marcferguson
I teach history, including the American Civil War Era, as an Adjunct at American International College in Springfield, Ma. I also teach survey courses in U.S. history, Western Civilization, and World History, and have taught at other area colleges, including the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and Holyoke Community College. While my academic background is in European History, my interest in the American Civil War began about a decade ago. Other areas of interest include Modernism, 20th century World Thought and Culture, The Rise of the West after 1400, 19th c. American Society and Culture, Central and Eastern European History and Culture, and Local History. I have in recent years cut back my teaching drastically in order to devote more time raising my kids (15 year old twins now), including working part-time at their elementary/middle school for the past 6 years, they are now launched and off to High School, and I plan to crank up my involvement in teaching history and local history projects, particularly in light of the American Civil War Sesquicentennial.
I’d have to add John Brown to the people you cited.
Yes, Brown lived in Springfield for a time the church he attended, an all black church is still there.
I think the fact that Brown was willing to die for black freedom, as well as the fact that he had no prejudices towards African Americans, helps to explain why he’s been called an insane lunatic. One might question his tactics, but not his passion and commitment.