New York State, led by Comrie, will mark 400 Years of African-American history
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State Sen. Leroy Comrie sponsored the bill that created the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. AP Photo/Mike Groll.
By David Brand
A new state commission will recognize the contributions, influence and the struggles of African-American New Yorkers, 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were kidnapped and trafficked to the English Colonies in what is now the United States.
The “400 Years of African-American History Commission” was sponsored by Southeast Queens State Sen. Leroy Comrie and signed into existence by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday.
"Chronicling and giving voice, resonance and significance to the immense, pioneering and worthy contributions of African-Americans over the past four centuries is not only necessary from the standpoint of understanding the past, but even more critical for inspiring the future,” Comrie said. “This legislation is timely and needed more now than ever — both to respond to current conditions in society and to ensure that successive generations of brave, heroic and emboldened African-Americans are remembered and celebrated.”
The state commission will consist of 15 members appointed by Cuomo and legislative leaders and will also honor the achievements of African-American New Yorkers.
"This landmark anniversary is an opportunity to once again reflect on the evils of slavery and to honor the struggle and triumph of centuries of African-Americans who have fought against barriers of racial discrimination and enriched and enhanced the fabric of our country," Cuomo said. "The resilience, bravery and contributions of African-Americans will be preserved for our memory by this Commission so that New Yorkers never forget their stories or sacrifice."
About 20 people from Angola were the first African slaves kidnapped and transported to the English colonies in what is now the United States. They arrived in the Virginia’s Jamestown colony in August 1619 after being stolen by Portuguese colonizers, purchased by British pirates and trafficked across the Atlantic Ocean.
The slave trade grew to immense proportions in the English colonies, with African American slaves outnumbering white residents in some states in the early 19th Century. Historians estimate that roughly 400,000 Africans were kidnapped and trafficked to colonies in the modern day United States where they were forced to work as slaves.
A few years later, the British West India Company trafficked the first slaves to New York. Slavery was not abolished in New York until 1827.
Efforts to memorialize early African-American history in Queens and elsewhere in New York City have increased in recent years, as New Yorkers reckon with the history of slavery and the lasting impact of discrimination, Historic Districts Council (HDC) Executive Director Simeon Bankoff told the Eagle last year.
Advocates in Elmhurst have called on New York City to landmark the neighborhood's nearly 200-year-old African Burial Ground located at 47-11 90th Street. The cemetery served as the final resting place for free African-Americans starting in 1828.
“This is an important survivor of a mostly forgotten history — of how the emancipated African-American population began to integrate into America and the challenges they faced even once slavery was officially abolished in New York State,” Bankoff said.
“This cemetery shows that history and is a powerful reminder of how our city was formed and who formed it,” he added.
