Denmark Vesey, a former slave man who bought freedom after winning the lottery, tried to organize a slave rebellion. Charleston, South Carolina, 1822, Executing white slaves and planning to sail freely in Haiti. However, Charleston authorities, along with nearly three dozen others, stopped the riots and hanged Vesey.
Today, Charleston is celebrating Vesey’s legacy with a few days of events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the uprising attempt and to teach more people his story.
The question is, “Why haven’t you heard these stories before?” Probably one of the best possible achievements, “said Tonya Matthews, president of the new International African-American Museum, which is due to open next year. “And the second best result is those who are wondering how they can learn more.”
The museum participates in the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Charleston Gayer Center to commemorate the anniversary.
The commemorative ceremony, which began on Thursday, will include panel discussions and various performances by singers Anthony Hamilton, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Low Country Voice Choir, comedian DL Hughley and more.
Vesey’s widespread recognition has long been awaited. A monument to honor him was placed in Hampton Park in 2014 after decades of opposition.It was Destroyed in 2021And was Restored this year..
Bernard E. Powers, a retired professor of history at the University of Charleston, said:
Emanuel, The prestigious church, founded in 1818, played an active role in the history that is now useful for commemoration. Vesey An active member of the congregation. After the failure of his planned uprising, the original church was destroyed by an angry white man. Construction of the current building of the church, lovingly known as Mother Emanuel, began in 1891.
Emmanuel was the scene of a racist slaughter in 2015 when a white supremacist shooter fired during Bible service on Wednesday night, killing nine worshipers. The shooter was sentenced to death in 2017. The church, which has a history of more than 200 years, has been patiently working on it.
“We never stopped studying the Bible,” said Lee Bennett Jr., a church historian who has been a member of the Church since the 1950s. “We never stopped worshiping on Sundays, so as Dr. Powers said, people must understand the history of the church. It is hopeful and resilient. And Danish Busy was certainly part of it from the beginning, showing the same type of attributes. “
Lissa Frenkel, Chief Executive Officer of the Charleston Gaillard Center, said the center will record a panel discussion on Beezy and provide it as a resource to Charleston’s schools in combination with a curriculum guide.
“I think Charleston is an interesting place because it has this very difficult history of slavery,” Frenkel said. “I think talking more openly about some of these issues in the community only leads to healing.”
