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VOL.
27 COMMON SENSE REVISITED 5 24 26
OPPRESSION…JUDEO-CHRISTIAN
ETHICS PERSPECTIVE… AND
E
PLURIBUS UNIUM/OUT OF MANY ONE 1776 TO 2026!?!
FAITH/HOPE
SPRINGS ETERNAL ILLUSTRATED?1?
Scottish poet Robert Burns authored a poem in 1785, “To a mouse,”
after accidentally destroying a mouse's nest with a plow, noting that
the mouse (like humans) planned for the future, only for those plans
to be destroyed. Coincidentally, Burns wrote this after
accidentally destroying a mouse's nest with a plow, noting that the
mouse (like humans) planned for the future, only for those plans to
be destroyed.”
“But Mouse, you
are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The
best-laid schemes of mice and men
Go oft awry (go off
course),
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For
promised joy!
Still you are blessed, compared with me!
The
present only touches you:
But oh! I backward cast my eye,
On
prospects dreary!
And forward, though I cannot see,
I guess
and fear!”
"The
best-laid plans of mice and men means that no matter how
carefully you plan a project or future, unforeseen circumstances
often cause things to go wrong. It highlights the gap between
intention and outcome, acknowledging that even the most meticulous
planning cannot guarantee success.” As was the fate of the first
U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, which was abolished
for it’s inefficiency as a constitution for these United States of
America. Unfortunately, we are facing a similar challenge in 2026 by
the hands of a corrupt would-be authoritarian regime trying to
destroy the Constitution and representative, participatory Democracy
in our Republic.
The framers of
the second Constitution added the Amendment clause that provides the
option to amend the Constitution when circumstances develop that
demands a change in the Constitution that will be beneficial to the
good of our nation. The outcome of the amendment depends on the, “We
the People of these United States,” giving our consent to the
amendment proposed. (A FAITH/HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL ILLUSTRATION.)
Alexander Popes
expression, “Hope springs eternal” denotes biblical connotations
supported in the following verses:
Peter
1:3-5: Frequently cited for its reference to a "living
hope" through the resurrection.
Romans
15:13: Highlights God as the source of all hope.
Hebrews
11:1: Defines faith as the substance of things "hoped
for(EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT)."
It was this same
“Hope springs eternal” that black freedmen and black slaves
responded to during the American colonial period. They adhered to
that inspiration by enlisting in both wars. The French and Indian
War, or as my mentor Dr. Henry Ellis Chaney called it, the War for
Empire 1754-1763, and of course the American Revolution 1775-1783.
Along with the
inspiration of, “Hope springs eternal,” God given COMMON SENSE,
God given knowledge that black men were fully human and fully man,
God given, and proven faith to strive to prove their worth on the
battlefield, as one way to earn their rights as men of valor,
hopefully to be recognized whites and all other men.
The following is
a list of some of those 5,000courageous Black Men that distinguished
themselves in the American Revelution:
“An estimated
5,000+ Black men served in the American Revolution, with many others
participating in the French and Indian War, both as free men and
enslaved individuals seeking liberty.
While many names
were not recorded, prominent soldiers and sailors included Peter
Salem, Salem Poor, Crispus Attucks, Agrippa Hull, and James Armistead
Lafayette.”
“Notable Black
Men in the American Revolution (1775–1783) [1]
Peter
Salem: Fought at Lexington/Concord and recognized for
killing British Major Pitcairn at Bunker Hill.
Salem
Poor: Honored for extreme bravery at the Battle of Bunker
Hill.
Crispus
Attucks: First casualty of the American Revolution, killed
in the 1770 Boston Massacre.
James
Armistead Lafayette: Served as a double agent spy, crucial
to the victory at Yorktown.
Agrippa
Hull: Freeborn soldier who served for years in the
Continental Army.
Prince
Estabrook: Enslaved man wounded at the Battle of Lexington.
Edward
“Ned” Hector: Served as a teamster and gunner (3rd PA
Artillery) at Brandywine/Germantown.
Austin
Dabney: Georgia soldier who fought against the British.
Lemuel
Haynes: Joined the army after Lexington, later a renowned
minister.
1st
Rhode Island Regiment: A unit with a high concentration of
Black soldiers.
Individuals
Identified via Muster Rolls: Jabez Jolley, James Remmon,
Joel Suckermug, Ceaser Perry, Pomp Liberty, Cuff Freedom, Jube
Freeman, Cash Pallentine, Brister Baker, Tuis Sharper.
Notable Black Men
in the French and Indian War (1754–1763)
Barzillai
Lew: A free Black man who served as a fifer and drum major.
Col.
Joseph Louis Cook: High-ranking Indigenous and Black officer
who fought in both the French and Indian War and the American
Revolution.
Many more black
American patriots were listed without racial identification in
records, making a complete list of all thousands of individuals
impossible.
Many students of American History prior to the mid to late 1970’s
were not taught one single thing about African American participation
in the United States of America. Many years ago I was blessed to
serve on a committee that wrote a Black History curriculum guide that
was purchased by a Kentucky School District. One of my contributions
was a lesson that highlighted the fact that African American soldiers
served in every war in American History. Not just served but served
with outstanding and distinguished deportment. I have often wondered
if that district ever used our guide to enlighten their students.
COMMON SENSE, and
“HOPE THAT SPRINGS ETERNAL” dictates that the laudable/deserving
service and contributions of those soldiers is worthy of praise, not
just by African American citizens but by all citizens of these United
States of America. Like their counterparts they too are worthy of the
same meritorious admiration, and acclaim that has been extended to
others! However, the refrain is yet applied again:
“AND THE BAND
PLAYS ON…AND ON…AND ON!”
BIDDING US TO
EARNESTLY PRAY FOR…
“HOPE THAT
SPRINGS ETERNAL!”
After all
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ETHICS dictates:
“Out of one
blood…”
E PLURIBUS UNIUM
dictates:
“OUT OF MANY
ONE …”
When, oh when
Dear Lord will
“WE THE PEOPLE OF THESE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA”
ILLUSTRATE WHAT
WE HAVE PROCLAIMED IN OUR CONSTITUTION?!?
COMMON SENSE
REVISITED…
TO BE CONTINUED…
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