Martin Delany Week Celebrates Father Of Black Nationalism
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - This is Martin Delany Week, a time to celebrate an extraordinary African-American, known as the father of Black Nationalism.
Born in 1812, Martin R. Delany was a doctor, newspaper publisher, an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War, and an author.
When much of the 19th-century anti-slavery movement supported deporting freed Blacks back to Africa, Delany, who grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, spoke up.
"He said, 'You can't tell us what we should do! We decide what we should do. If this country is not going to be a place where we can prosper, then we should leave, but it's our choice,' " says Larry Robin, founder of Moonstone Art Center.
The Moonstone is hosting a number of events this week celebrating Delany's life, featuring notables such as poet Sonia Sanchez and speaker Molefi Asante.
For more information, go to MoonstoneArtsCenter.org/MartinDelany.
