Robert was a mixed man. (That’s right, his FATHER was his owner). He planned to plot his escape after being unable to afford $800 for his, his wife, and his children’s freedom. Since he couldn’t afford to buy freedom, he stole the ship he worked on. Delivered his own family and many others to freedom. He went on to become quite a war hero and Major General in the Civil War, who battled in 17 major engagements. Intelligent as can be and passionate about his people.
Not only did he go back and buy the very plantation he was enslaved on, he became a business owner and also started a newspaper. He became a politician who served 5 terms in the US House of Representatives! Why do we NEVER learn this in school?
Stop allowing White people to control the narrative of your child’s education!
If you are looking for a way to explain this story to your little ones, below is a book that you should check out that is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Robert-Smalls-Daring-Slavery/dp/154351281X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3RC4CHDRU12WI&keywords=the+escape+of+robert+smalls&qid=1645795086&s=books&sprefix=the+escape+of+ro%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-2 .
The mist in Charleston Inner Harbor was heavy, but not heavy enough to disguise the stolen Confederate steamship, the Planter, from Confederate soldiers. In the early hours of May 13, 1862, in the midst of the deadly U.S. Civil War, an enslaved man named Robert Smalls was about to carry out a perilous plan of escape. Standing at the helm of the ship, Smalls impersonated the captain as he and his crew passed heavily armed Confederate forts to enter Union territory, where escaped slaves were given shelter. The suspenseful escape of the determined crew is celebrated with beautiful artwork and insightful prose, detailing the true account of an unsung American hero.
AFMS: Lets Talk About Everything, Sista to Sista 
Nice
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