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Many Rivers to Cross
African-American history has played an integral role in the shaping of politics, economics, and culture in the United States. Growing up, how did you learn about the accomplishments and struggles of African Americans? Were you in a classroom? Reading a book? Talking with relatives or friends? How has your understanding or knowledge of African-American history changed and/or developed over time? What do you think is the most effective way to pass along this rich and growing history to future generations?

Ernest Bhabor

Dear Henry Louis Gates Jr,

Hello Mr Gates, allow me to introduce myself, I’m Ernest Bhabor and I’m a fifth grader. My class and I did a lot of research about you and your accomplishments.I learned a lot about African American history. I’m African American, and I’m glad I learned so much about my history.
The most interesting part about the documentary was when there were doubts that Obama would become president and a few months later, he became the President. That was a good time for African Americans, that time definitely made history!.
Another one of my favorite parts was when I heard about racism. I like that part because it really is true, racism is still going on but if everybody works together we can stop racism.
I wish I knew my ancestors well enough to write about them, maybe they would have some stories to tell about how racism affected their lives and how they overcame it. Thank God, nothing bad happened to either one of them as I may assume.
When I was watching the documentary I was surprised how badly the African Americans were treated, as if they were mud. Worst of all, racism is still going on in the world today.
Martin Luther King Jr. has always been one of my mentors so I was really thankful to watch this documentary. It taught me a lot about Martin Luther King Jr. and his views on racism. I’m glad the hanging of the slaves and other cruel stuff is over, but then again we have work to do.
I also thought the documentary gave me more information than when I searched the history of African American’s online.
The documentary taught me that Martin Luther King Jr. never quit or stopped in what he believed in, which is freedom. I think a lot of people should know that, he fought for civil rights, peace, and freedom. He pushed and believed that we are all human, we bleed the same and it’s only the color of our skin that makes people believe that we are different but that’s not true!
I learned how bad the Jim Crow law where , blacks weren’t allowed to eat at Restaurant counters, and if they did, they would get beaten. If a black male looked into the eyes of a white female, they would get in trouble and other terrible treatments or punishments would occur. The person who made that law just made an eternal sin in every way. I can’t believe who ever created the Jim Crow Law!

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