RSS
Home
Black History Month: Alexander Twilight – A true trailblazer
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Wikipedia.org
As February approaches, with it arrives Black History Month. In this new year of change, I feel compelled to highlight an African American who made history by being a trailblazer during a time when American was not as receptive to change as it is now.
Alexander Lucius Twilight, who lived from 1795 to 1857, was born not as a slave, but free in Corinth, Vermont. Mr. Twilight seems quite amazing to me, because for the time during which he lived, he accomplished much as an African American man. To start, he was the first African American to earn a bachelor’s degree from an American college, which he received in 1823 from Middlebury College in Vermont. Years later, after pursuing a ministry and serving in churches, he became principal of a grammar school in Brownington, Vermont. What stands out to me about this man’s life, however, is that he was the first African American to be elected to political office. In 1836, Alexander Twilight was elected as a state legislator, serving on the Vermont General Assembly.
What Mr. Twilight accomplished was very important, as I reflect on the fact that America has just placed into office, the first African American President. Without such brave and strong African Americans truly paving the way, bit by bit, I wonder where we would be as a people – and as a nation. Looking at the life of Alexander Twilight inspires me, as I’m sure it does many others, to continue doing what may at times seem impossible. And in following such role models, perhaps we ourselves will at some point become role models.
For more info on Alexander Twilight: Visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Twilight and www.caagri.org/twilight.html.
More About:
Black History
Related Articles:
Comments
.jpg)
If you’re strolling along Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, NJ, you might want to pop into the Express Yourself Studios. This art studio is a …
.jpg)
If you’ve been feeling the need to get involved and make a difference, or contribute your manpower to help others, you may want to look into …
