The Washington Family
  • Washington Family - Home Page
  • Washington Family History
    • Family Tree
    • Submit Family Contact Info
    • Submit Family Tree Info
    • Family Photos
    • 'Tag Your History' Project
  • The Lowcountry
    • Charleston, SC
    • James Island County Park
    • Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
    • Folly Beach
  • Roots Run Deep Blog : Research & Discoveries
  • Other Relevant Links
    • Family Group Forum
    • James Island News
    • Business Directory
  • Donations
  • Your Vote Matters

Washington: The 'Blackest Name' In America

7/15/2014

0 Comments

 
George Washington's name is inseparable from America, and not only from the nation's history. It identifies countless streets, buildings, mountains, bridges, monuments, cities – and people.

In a puzzling twist, most of these people are black. The 2000 U.S. Census counted 163,036 people with the surname Washington. Ninety percent of them were African-American, a far higher black percentage than for any other common name.

The story of how Washington became the "blackest name" begins with slavery and takes a sharp turn after the Civil War, when all blacks were allowed the dignity of a surname.

Even before Emancipation, many enslaved black people chose their own surnames to establish their identities. Afterward, some historians theorize, large numbers of blacks chose the name Washington in the process of asserting their freedom.

Today there are black Washingtons, like this writer, who are often identified as African-American by people they have never met. There are white Washingtons who are sometimes misidentified and have felt discrimination. There are Washingtons of both races who view the name as a special – if complicated – gift.

And there remains the presence of George, born 279 years ago on Feb. 22, whose complex relationship with slavery echoes in the blackness of his name today.


Read full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/washington-blackest-name-america_n_825884.html


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I've been reaching my family tree for several years and hope to collect as much information as possible about Washington family and the history they made on then sea islands - James, Edisto, and more.

    Categories

    All
    Charleston
    Edisto
    Movie
    Photos
    Slaves
    South Carolina

    Archives

    May 2016
    February 2016
    July 2015
    April 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly