A 🧵 on Forgotten Lives

Often, I think about the lives led by those who came before us. Perhaps due to my fiction writing, I try to put myself into an individual’s shoes

And one “life” I can’t stop thinking about is that of a 16-year old Black Southern teen in the mid-1880s

1/

Let’s imagine what his life looked like then, & what it became.

In the 1880s, this teen sees a world where more Black voters are registered in Louisiana than White voters. He sees large numbers of Black voters registered AND voting in other southern states as well.

2/

Black turnout in the 1880 Presidential election is 61%.

And with this high level of Black participation in elections, this 16-year old grows up seeing Black men (not women yet) serving in office at almost every level.

3/

We’re talking mayors and sheriffs, state reps and judges, even State Supreme Court justices, house speakers, lieutenant governors and members of Congress.

I would never want to understate the racism and challenges this 16-year old faces in daily life…

4/

…but when it comes to participation in the nation’s democracy, things at least look to be moving in a good direction

And if he studies his recent history, this teen also is buoyed by the response of Pres. Grant when white supremacists tried to stop this new Black participation.