I would like to take the time to respond to a few of the comments made by Roger Anderson. I was very disturbed about many of the comments that Mr. Anderson wrote. He mentioned that in its 200 year history, the presence of African Americans is new to Athens and to Southeast Ohio. This type of comment really upsets me and shows the ignorance that many on the OU campus share, students and faculty alike. African Americans have been in this area for hundreds of years. They go by different names or titles, so to speak, such as WINS, Tri-racial, or Melungeon to name a few. Many offer various shades of Blackness, but we are here. We are a unique culture that continues to live with the poverty, lack of educational opportunities and the racism in this region. Without us, many slaves would not have escaped to freedom. Without us, the coal industry and the steel mills would not have been as successful. Without us, Ohio University would not have a Community and Campus Days, the African American Research Institute and the project that the African American Studies Department is working on, entitled the African American Presence in the Ohio River Valley. As you have seen, we have contributed greatly to this region and to Ohio University. Maybe I should not just blame Roger Anderson. I should also put the blame on the faculty, students and staff at OU. Many programs at OU have failed many African Americans in this region. I have personally given presentations on my people in many classes and I am always shocked to hear that no one knew that we existed in Southeast Ohio or in the rest of Appalachia. OU needs to realize that it has a commitment and a chance to educate many of us in this area that are first generation or potential first generation college students. In closing, I challenge any of you that want information about African Americans in Southeast Ohio or Appalachia to e-mail or call me. If I cannot answer your question, then we have many genealogists and professors in the local community who can.
Tony Mayle is a graduate student who resides in Chesterhill. Send him an e-mail at am361701@ohiou.edu.
17 Archives
Letter to the Editor
