The Jack Hadley Black History Museum kicked off the first year of its education pilot program, visiting Thomas County Middle School to work with all the fifth grade students. This is the first year of the program, and the overall goal and purpose is to be able to take the Jack Hadley Black History Museum’s collection in to the classroom and serve as a resource for both teachers and students.

“My first interaction with the students began with me introducing myself briefly by providing some background about myself, and my role with the Jack Hadley Black History museum,” said JaMarcus Underwood, museum educator. “Following my introductory presentation, we delved into a presentation about Buffalo Soldiers with the purpose of going in conjunction with this week’s fifth grade social studies unit that covered the theme, ‘Bigger Better Faster: The Changing Nation.’ Under this theme, teachers are covering westward expansion into U.S. western territories following the Civil War, black cowboys, cattle trails, Great Western trails, and the Chisholm Trails.

“In my presentation, my goal was to highlight four specific questions with the students that pertained to the history of Buffalo Soldiers. Highlighting the history of Buffalo Soldiers was comparable to that of black cowboys that teachers are covering in the classroom. Only difference, one group of men represented the United States, and the management of, and continued push for westward expansion. The questions we discussed consisted of discovering how the Buffalo Soldiers got their start? Who were Buffalo Soldiers? How did these men become known as Buffalo Soldiers? What were their assigned jobs?  

“We closed with a discussion about Henry O. Flipper and to my surprise, some students were aware of Lt. Henry O. Flipper. During the presentation, students freely asked questions, or provided feedback that supported an answer, or statement made by a student or their classmates. Some students made me aware that they were familiar with the Jack Hadley Black History museum, or had visited in the past.”

Unknown Soldiers; African Americans during world war I

This exhibition has grown out of the centennial celebration across the country this year for the remembrance of World War I. During the various celebrations taking place throughout the year, the Jack Hadley Black History Museum wants to highlight the African American servicemen who gave their life for “American Democracy,” but in some cases these veterans were returning home to very little democracy given toward the lives of African Americans. What is always interesting about the notion of fighting for American Democracy abroad is that, there were people living in the United States constantly subject to discrimination and harassment by some whites.

“So, what would drive an African American person to enlist in the armed forces? That question is multifaceted, and has many perspectives and viewpoints,” Underwood said. “For example, a southern Black teacher, told an audience that ‘they were soldiers of Freedom’; and that ‘when we proved ourselves men, worthy to work and fight and die for our country, a grateful nation may gladly give us recognition of real men, and the rights and privileges of true and loyal citizens of the United States.’ All of these goals sounded great at best, but shortly before the conclusion of WWI, black servicemen were realizing how Jim Crow followed the American flag overseas to their various post. We simply want to highlight this period of African American history that to some may be largely unknown.”