"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : WILLIAM G. BROWN - "LOUISIANA 'S FIRST COLORED LOUISIANA STATE SUPERINTENDENT of EDUCATION"

Why is it that most Black People in Louisiana think that "DESEGREGATION" in Louisiana Public Schools originally began in the 1960s? Also, why is it that most Black People in Louisiana aren't aware that from 1872 - 1876, LOUISIANA had it's "FIRST COLORED SUPERINTENDENT of EDUCATION?" Well, one of the main reasons is because things like these were deliberately left out of the public school curriculum as well as the school history books at public schools in Louisiana! Also, another thing that was conveniently left out of public school history books in Louisiana is the "MANY MASSACRES of COLORED PEOPLE" that took place in "LOUISIANA DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION ERA." Among the many recorded massacres, there was the massacre in New Orleans, Louisiana,in 1866 ; another in Bossier Parish, in 1868 ; another in Caddo Parish, in 1868 ; another in St. Bernard Parish, in 1868 ; another in Opelousas, Louisiana, in 1868 ; another in Colfax, Louisiana, in 1873 ; and another in Thibodaux, Louisiana, in 1887; not to mention all the other reported lynchings of Colored People that occurred during Reconstruction.Yes, to say that Colored People went through "PURE HELL" during the Reconstruction Era is an absolute understatement! Furthermore, the other thing that's so sad is that for many Black People as well as some White People living in Louisiana today is that this article will be the first time that some of them will have ever heard about these massacres and terrifying acts that took place on American soil, before "911." With that said, let's move on to this week's Black Pioneer! William G. Brown was the "FIRST COLORED PERSON" in Louisiana to serve as "THE LOUISIANA STATE SUPERINTENDENT of EDUCATION!" Also, he was one of only four Colored persons elected to the office of State Education Superintendent in the United States. William was born on August 12, 1832, in Trenton, New Jersey to parents of mixed race. His father's occupation as a journalist required the family to move to Jamaica to live. Reportedly, William was educated in the British West Indies. Following the family's return to the United States, but before the American Civil War, his family resided in Washington D.C. for a spell. However, after the war, William decided to move to New Orleans, Louisiana to take a position as a school teacher. Later, he became involved in Louisiana politics, and was elected as a delegate to represent New Orleans 3rd Ward at the Republican State Convention that was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in August of 1872. At the convention,he was nominated for State Superintendent of Instruction on a Republican ticket, along with William P. Kellogg. Undoubtedly, there are some people in Louisiana who are familiar with the Louisiana Governor's Election in 1872. You know the time when Louisiana had two Governors with two separate legislatures, but that is a whole story in itself! Well, back to our story about the first Colored Louisiana State Superintendent of Education. After things had settled down a bit, William G. Brown officially took over his position as the Louisiana State Superintendent. From 1872 - 1876, he initiated the "FIRST INITIAL ATTEMPTS" at DESEGREGATING" the public schools in Louisiana. Interestingly, despite having to deal with underfunded school districts in Louisiana, State Superintendent William G. Brown is credited with presiding over the construction of "OVER 214 SCHOOLS in LOUISIANA!" In closing, I would like to say that in all the 12 years that I attended the public schools in Monroe, Louisiana, I never, never, ever heard about William G. Brown being Louisiana's First Colored Louisiana State Superintendent of Education at all! Additionally, I feel that it should be a crime for the current Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, and our current Louisiana State Legislatures to be able to "MANDATE" that certain things be displayed in schools in Louisiana, but "RESTRICT and DISALLOW" the teaching of things that they have labeled as "Critical Race Theory!"