M.O.C.H.A. Made American History; History that can’t be Manipulated.
On September 24, 2020, The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation had prepared and sent an Innovative and unheard of proposal to the Clemson, SC City Council. This proposal would add a name to an almost 100 year old Pedestrian walkover bridge located in a Historical Black neighborhood in Clemson, South Carolina.
A walkover bridge constructed almost 100 years ago, that has been void of an official name or a proper identity. This nameless bridge which has been a centerpiece and a place where many African Americans once used to identify their neighborhood was simply recognized as, “The Bridge”.
Nevertheless The M.O.C.H.A. Foundations proposal to dedicate the bridge in honor of the memory of a woman who Clemson University has promoted as one of the very first enslaved at John C. Calhoun’s Fort Hill Plantation; was well received by the Clemson City Council.
The Nancy Washington Legree Resolution was then drawn up and on October 19, 2020, the Clemson City Council unanimously passed The Legree Resolution. The decision by the Clemson City Council supporting the proposal presented by The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation can not be overlooked, erased, or forgotten from history. This enormous decision to name the bridge after a formerly enslaved woman was not only a victory for the African American citizens, but it was favorable and fair to all citizens who were once divided by separate beliefs. The Legree Resolution represented an unprejudiced middle ground and Resolve that had not been explored before the idea was presented by The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation.
At a time in American history when there seemed to be no compromise and so many of our citizens were torn, divided, and fighting for things such as removal; The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation presented an Innovative proposal that supported the idea of adding to history without the battle of the removal of another mans history. This New and Innovative thought was presented to The Clemson City Council at a time when our nation was also searching for much needed answers and a story that represented positive change in America.
The Clemson City Councils decision to support the naming of the bridge in honor of Nancy Washington Legree was a Historic one. This Monumental decision only represented a few occasions in modern day American history in which an African Americans name would be honored. This exceptional idea was followed up by and unanimously supported by a City Governments vote. This decision would also represent one of less than a dozen roadways/markers that would identify an African American in the State Of South Carolina. This is despite the thousands of markers which identify Slaveholders and Confederates throughout the state.
Despite the many efforts of The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation to end Generational Obstacles faced by People of Color, Our organization found it very hard to understand Why No one in the African American Community (in the Clemson area) could give congratulations or acknowledgement of the achievements of The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation. This is despite the multitude of Black history in Clemson, SC that has been ignored, forgotten, and vanished. Much of this history that has been hidden, has been controlled by the descendants of Slaveholders. The Privileged at Clemson University have also played a pivotal role in dictating and delaying true accountability and healing of a community of people who were enslaved long after The Emancipation.
There is no doubt that The M.O.C.H.A. Foundations Extraordinary efforts to add, honor, and remember African Americans who have been omitted from the true history of Clemson have been Blackballed by Clemson University and all of it’s many acquaintances, associates, and partners. We must understand that Clemson University provides major funding to the majority of the charities, organizations, schools, and churches in the Upstate of South Carolina region. It is more profitable to the traditional system to divide the very people that are oppressed, than it is to show true unity, allow healing, and move forward.
This very institution that once openly endorsed the idea of the enslavement of Black people has continued to celebrate and honor the history of several very prominent and controversial figures that were responsible for the continued enslavement of Black people; well after the Emancipation.
What kind of mission could be Powerful enough that a City and University which share the very same name, would attempt to hijack an amazing idea and similar to the ways of old; the Privilege gets to decide whose history is remembered.
This same Institution and system which initially robbed many African American families such as my own and others of opportunity, equality, and achievements; has yet to effectively remedy any of the atrocities which were a result of slavery. This same system which first allowed Columbus to arrive on the shores of America and ignore the fact that there were people already settled here. This system is also responsible for choosing to honor and/or ignore Generations of African American history, which is why many of the most valuable accomplishments of Black people in Clemson, SC are now vanished.
In closing The Men of Color Having Answers Foundation has been far more successful than many other organizations, groups, and movements in regards to the True Advancements of Black people in this Nation and those achievements can not be ignored.
The M.O.C.H.A. Foundations Legree proposal was a groundbreaking idea and considering that it’s almost impossible to find any type of documentation which acknowledges, admits, and offers some form of apology for the evils of slavery, The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation was able to accomplish this unbelievable feat, while adding to a history that had been lost. The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation can now affirm to owning one of the very first articles in American history in which a city government in this nation has admitted to the horrors of slavery and then followed that up with a vote in support of said actions. It is for these reasons and so many more that The MO.O.C.H.A. Foundation remains extremely excited about our organizations future and we remain totally committed to Ending All Generational Obstacles faced by People of Color. This is our History, this is American history, and this is the History that was Inspired by the minds of The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation. PLEASE REVIEW THE HISTORIC WRITING OF THE LEGREE RESOLUTION BELOW….
The Signed Legree Resolution presented by The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation ( M.O.C.H.A.) HISTORY……