The Black Heritage Trail

This week we walked along the Black Heritage Trail starting from the Statue in Boston Common. We first visited Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial. The 54th Regiment is the first black regiment in the North, and Shaw was a white officer who volunteered for its command. They became famous in a battle to capture the Confederate city, but many of them sacrificed in the hard-fought battle. Also in the battle, there came the first African American who was awarded Congressional Medal of Honor because of his bravery (“Robert”). I think all the black soldiers in the 54th Regiment must be inspired because they were the first black regiment recruited. Maybe their grandfathers and fathers were once slaves, but they represented the American Army! How honored and excited! They fought for the freedom of more slaves in the south.

We also saw churches and schools that did not allow black people to go into or made the black segregated at first. After many abolitionists’ actions, black people have the seat in the church. It is exciting and touching that people gathered and gave speeches to fight for the social justice. There are always pioneers in public filed that make justice and equality come true.

The residence is now the most expensive houses in Boston, and they also have a long history. It is common that a house was built more than a hundred years ago. Walking down the trail, we walked on the rich history of Boston.

“Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial. The 54th Regiment.” Museum of Afican American History. July 10,2010. http://www.afroammuseum.org/site1.htm