OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : HENRY DEMAS - a former slave, AND ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

 

                                                                          During  my regular research activity online,         I came across an article about a lawsuit against the "NASCAR ASSOCIATION"  that included the famous former NBA Basketball Star, Michael Jordan. What I found interesting about the lawsuit is that it was centered around "RECKLESS RULES, WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO SOME OF THE LHSAA RULES!"     Some even referred to the NASCAR rules as being,"monopolistic practices!" Well, after Michael Jordan testified in court on the matter, NASCAR decided it was best to go ahead and agree on a settlement of the lawsuit. PLEASE  NOTE, while NASCAR realized it's error and agreed to change their rules,"THE LHSAA HAS YET TO DO THE SAME!" Even after a lengthy investigation by a Louisiana State Congress Committee, and the committee's recommendations for the LHSAA to operate differently,"THE LHSAA BOLDLY REJECTED THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS!"     At one point, in a hearing meeting that was held at the Louisiana State Capitol, on September 23, 2025, LOUISIANA STATE REPRESENTATIVE, YEHMI JAHI CHASSION, became  so frustrated with members of the LSHAA,"HE HINTED THAT HE WOULD POSSIBLY LOOK INTO STARTING A DIFFERENT LOUISIANA SPORTS ASSOCIATION," BESIDES THE LHSAA! So, now that the LHSAA has showed the Louisiana State Congress Committee that it is has no intentions of carrying out the committee's recommendations, what will the Louisiana State Congress do next to address the stress and unrest surrounding the rules,policies, and practices of the LHSAA??? Let that marinate on your mind for a minute or two! Now on to this week's Black Pioneer, Henry Demas. Henry Demas was born a slave on April 16, 1848, in Louisiana's St. John the Baptist Parish. Just think,  Henry went from being a slave in Louisiana, to fighting in the Union Military, to being elected as a Louisiana Constable in 1870, to serving two terms as a Louisiana  Legislator, and then becoming a Louisiana State  Senator! What an astounding accomplishment that was for him, following such a "grotesque event" as the American Civil War. By the way, other notable roles that Henry held and served in some capacity within the State of Louisiana included ; CO-FOUNDER of SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA ; his appointment as a captain in the State Militia in 1874 ; serving as parish treasurer ; serving on the parish school board ; and his appointment by Senator Mark Hanna and President William McKinley to the New Orleans Naval Office, an appointment that created such a stir that some say that it contributed to the deaths of both,"Henry Demas and  President William McKinley!" Sadly, on April 19, 1900, while living in New Orleans, Louisiana, Henry Demas succumbed to a disease known as,"BRIGHT'S DISEASE,"  and his body was buried in Edgard, Louisiana.