Influential African Americans In U.S Politics
- Nia Harris
- Aug 25, 2021
- 4 min read
February is a special month for African Americans. Carter G. Woodson, a historian, scholar, and publisher, created Black History Month. He specifically chose February because of two birthdays that fell during this monumental month, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Carter G. Woodson delivered a month of celebration and education for all Americans in the United States, simply because black history is American history.
2020 was a year of loss, reflection, and celebration. For many African-Americans, it was a time of realization. For a long period of time, African Americans had no voice, no representation, and no part of the political system within America. Decades had passed before receiving some of the rights granted in the 14th amendment. It was because of the leaders, activists, and trailblazers who made these rights accessible for African Americans today.
As youth and young adults become interested in politics, we must understand influential people of the past that have impacted the political system we have today in America, our democracy. The knowledge of history is crucial in making decisions. So today as you read this piece, acknowledge the accomplishments, challenges, and decisions these influential African American political leaders made.
The African American Trailblazers of Politics
To begin, in 1870, Hiram R. Revels was the first African-American elected to serve in congress. Hiram R. Revels was a Republican senator that represented Mississippi. After a year of service, he became the President of a historically black college. Revels’ political career was stimulated by his notable work effort in establishing the Black regiments for the Union Army during the Civil War. He was well respected by his community and was known for his iconic speaking skills, which led him to a seat within the United States Congress. Revels strongly advocated, especially during his time within the legislative branch, for equal rights and laws that protected African Americans during the Reconstruction Era. Revels once said, “I am true to my own race. I wish to see all done that can be done for their encouragement, to assist them in acquiring property, in becoming intelligent, enlightened, useful, valuable citizens.”
Furthermore, Patricia Roberts Harris was the first African American woman to hold a Cabinet position in 1977. Before this milestone in history, she was the first African American woman to become a U.S. ambassador and the dean of the law school at Howard University. Patricia Roberts Harris was chosen by President Carter to be the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Harris was able to excel by using her position and platform to voice the racial discriminatory in housing and employment. Harris urged the government to aid the poor and minority groups facing these challenges in America. Patricia Roberts Harris exceeded the expectations that many placed on her because of her skin and gender. She was devoted to social change throughout her entire life.
Relatively recent, but will forever be history, Condoleezza Rice. Condoleezza Rice was the first African American woman to serve as the Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. Condoleezza Rice did not settle for the position she received. She utilized her role to spread her support for democratic reforms and propagated transformational diplomacy. Rice courageously expressed her ideologies on the matter of integrating democratic principles into societies reeled under a dictatorship. As the Secretary of State, she traveled to over 80 countries, where she built international relationships and recorded information for the database under the U.S government. Rice embodied what our democracy stands for with a level of pride and confidence that was unimaginable.
These are just 3 people who were a part of a large revolution towards change. Their success and achievements provided the foundation for the African American leaders to come. Each one of these influential people broke barriers and redefined the expectations for many groups of people within the United States. There is great value in the names of the people I described, and they shall be remembered in not only black history but American history.
How Can You Help?
You may have read this entire article, and concluded that you have never learned about these
amazing people. The United States education system is not built to teach us about all of the qualified leaders that impacted history, so I encourage you to spread this information and educate your peers on these leaders and others like them. It is important that people, like the ones described, receive attention and recognition for their hard work inside of politics.
During this time, where many of us are at home, I strongly advise you to research, read and educate yourself on African American history. By doing this, you expand your mind and perspective, which truly equips you for a better future and the world around you. We, the generation of leaders to come, have a responsibility to prepare for what is to come, by understanding how far we have come from.
Sources:
Biography. 2021. Hiram R. Revels. [online] Available at: <https://www.biography.com/political-figure/hiram-r-revels> [Accessed 16 February 2021].
Biography. 2021. Hiram R. Revels. [online] Available at: <https://www.biography.com/political-figure/hiram-r-revels> [Accessed 16 February 2021].
National Museum of American Diplomacy. 2021. Patricia Roberts Harris: Ambassador - National Museum of American Diplomacy. [online] Available at: <https://diplomacy.state.gov/people/patricia-roberts-harris/> [Accessed 16 February 2021].
“Condoleezza Rice | Biography, Books, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/Condoleezza-Rice.
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