Black Indians?

In the book, Black Indians by William Loren Katz, the presence of Black Indians is highlighted. Some of the most prominent figures in African American history has Indian heritage. People like Paul Cuffee, Frederick Douglass, and Langston Hughes are all Black Indians. Beyond the discipline of history, in culture studies, it is evident that many African Americans in popular culture today are Black Indians.

Paul Cuffee was a Dartmouth Indian ship merchant. Cuffee was one of the first African American advocates and pushed for African American migration to Africa. He became the founder of 'back to Africa' movements in the United States having paid for the travel of 38 black Americans to Sierra Leone.

Frederick Douglass

Langston Hughes

Today, in African American popular culture, there are many Black Indians who play a big role in music and film. Rapper and Actor, Andre Lauren "Andre 3000" Benjamin has made an extremely big influence in rap and hip hop, being a part of the award winning group "Outkast". Some of his hits range from songs like "Hey Ya" to "Roses".

Another Black Cherokee Indian in African American culture is James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix. Hendrix revolutionized music and became one of the most famous guitarists in the rock genre. Today he is considered the greatest electric guitarist in the history of man. His hits range from songs like "Voodoo Child" to "Freedom".

In this video I talk about the book Black Indians by William Loren Katz and the points made about the separation of Africans and Indians during the slavery era.

 

Works Cited

Katz,William Loren. Black Indians. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 1997.