WHEN THE LITTLE PEOPLE STRIKE BACK
(sometimes the wretched do get satisfaction)

I have always had soft spot in my heart for the little guy. It has always felt good to me when I believe that justice has been served. We as a race (human) and people (African Americans) know what its like to understand the good, bad and all things in between. So it is in this spirit that I document a few instances of such occurrences.Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Maryland in the early part of the 19th century. As a young teen she was struck in the head by her overseer for refusing to help him tie and beat a slave who'd tried to escape. For the rest of her life she would suffer dizzy spells and memory lost. Mrs. Tubman would later escape north but would make 19 trips down south and eventually lead 300 slaves to freedom. But I would imagine the especially sweet moments had to be freeing her family including her 70 year old parents shed left in bondage . That had to be a really special feeling to actually have successfully led her mother and father to the promise land and after a particularly difficult trip. The Little people striking back indeed!

In Virginia during the civil war an ex-slave turned Union soldier saw his master a confederate POW being lead away in chains and remarked “bottom Rail on top now Massa, bottom rail on top", in april of 1880’s, a black Cadet named Johnson Whittaker enrolled at the United States Military Academy (West Point), was attacked early one morning, beaten unconscious and tied to the his bed then left their bound and gagged, when he was discovered the next morning he , he was questioned by a doctor, who assumed he had tied himself up and bruised his body. Johnson Whittaker was then detained, charged and convicted for tying himself up, and injuring himself to get out of having to take a test (from a class he was passing at that). Of course the military commission that tried him was nothing more than a Kangaroo court designed to swiftly convict and get rid of the “Nigger” Cadet. After being convicted and sentenced to a military prison, West point was purged of that years only black cadet. Because of his bogus conviction his prison sentenced would later be commuted and he was dishonorably discharged. Whittaker would go on to a glorious career educating the freed peoples and their children. He would live to see his son’s and grandson serve as officers in the United States army, I can imagine that looking back on all of his life he must have felt great pride in his accomplishments (and his sons accomplishments). I imagine Mr. Whittaker as an old man sitting around the house with his grand kids and great grand kids and feeling great pride at having overcome racism of the most virulent form to extract some well earned satisfaction at the progress of his family. I can also imagine the pleasure that slave in Virginia, got when seeing his master and informing him of switch in circumstances. Just another glorious example of little people striking back.

Now for my last example of the little people receiving their due and attaining satisfaction. Somewhere in Atchison Kansas where the winters are very cold and the summers are very hot a woman named Ruth Ann Jackson and a man Joseph H Williams would come together in marriage to produce 10 kids. After 6 or so kids Joseph and Ruth split, only getting together to produce a kid every couple of years or so. Why they chose to continue having kids while not together I have no idea but anyway, it was during this period when Joseph began to claim that youngest of Ruth’s kids were not his.Everyone knew this was foolishness but that didn’t stop Joseph from telling any friend or family member those kids weren’t his. Anyway after one particular offensive instance of Joseph claiming not to be the father of Ruth's youngest kids. Their 12 year old daughter (Carmelia) brought one of the babies (Bess Jackson) that ole Joey claimed wasn’t his, home for his entire homestead and extended family to see. Lo and behold wouldn’t you know it the baby as well as all of the other kids (ole joey claimed wasn’t his) looked just like Joseph. In fact one of those kids would have a son (Joseph’s grandson) who would look just like Joseph. Legend has it that ole joey was cured of saying those kids weren’t his for all times after that. Major kudos to young Carmelia Jackson for her bold and daring move. I can imagine that Carmelia had had enough of ole Joey's Bull Shit and had decided to re-educate him as to the error of his (lying) ways. And what better way to do so other than using his own (child) handy work. So in solidarity with the eternal and universal struggle of all little people who have ever lived Carmelia struck a mighty blow and manage to change ole Joey's tune. By the way Carmelia just happens to be my aunt and Ole Joey my grandfather who I just happen to resemble more than I resemble my sister. Pretty strange for a grandkid not related to old Joey. Hmmmm.

SO IN CONCLUSION GOD BLESS ALL OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE WHO MANAGE TO RE-EDUCATE THE A##WHOLES OF THE WORLD ABOUT EQUALITY AND GAIN A LITTLE SATISFACTION FOR US THE WRETCHED WHO ARE FORCED ON A DAILY BASIS TO ENDURE THIER BULLSHIT. MARK BEY