Black History Month; Marriage (and Divorce) Among Slaves

While the horrible custom of slavery was mentioned when I was in school, Black History was not taught. Our shameful past was glossed over because we were still a racist society. Those of a certain age need to learn history for the first time. How our laws treated marriage and divorce among blacks not all that long ago is important as we examine marriage and divorce among our citizens now, particularly when wrongful conduct is justified by religious beliefs.

I was thinking about this when I saw Pam Platt’s insightful article in the Courier-Journal last Sunday. Then I stumbled upon Mocha Diva. You will find the Diva’s very moving site here. You must check out the beautiful "jumping the broom" image. I have never seen a website or blog that quite so clearly sets the mood and tone of the site's subject matter. Here are some quotes:

Imagine this if you will. Once upon a time in a land called the United States, prior to the abolishment of slavery, negroes, as we were called then, were unable to a large degree to enjoy the sacrament of marriage. While many slaves considered themselves man and wife, living together as such