Black Pioneers: An Untold Story

This is a area of history that I plan to focus on for a while. I am just beginning to learn more about it. "In 1846 DeBaptiste and his family moved to Detroit, hired a teacher a teacher, and opened their home as a classroom for Black children. Soon after, he met Lambert, and the two men began to enroll in a hard-hitting, armed antislavery unit call the African American Mysteries." Unfortunately, I don't have the time to research the terminology "African American." This language doesn't seem to fit 1846. Would Black folk in 1846 have called themselves African Americans? It seems so contemporary. This just struck me as odd. My only complaint with this author is I sense a tone of paternalism. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book. I give it a 5 star.

This book tells the story of all pioneers, but with a unique twist that includes the horrors of escaping slavery, being denied education, and racially-motivated mob attacks. Although this book may provide more detail that the teacher has time to fit into the curriculum, the teacher may want to use segments from the book. For example, there are segments about Missouri and Kansas in the book, which would be relevant to state history instruction. The teacher may want to use the book at the key vehicle to teach history during pioneer times. This impressive book contains drawings and photographs to help students understand the content.