Let's celebrate Black heroes of the American Revolution this Juneteenth
Have you noticed an uptick of Americans who celebrate June 19? I know I have. On that date in 1865, news of the Union victory finally reached Galveston Bay. Freedom had arrived for 250,000 slaves in Texas.
As this milestone event has come to the forefront, I appreciate how remarkably it aligns with the timing of Independence Day. American ideals set the stage for our nation’s long-awaited abolition of slavery.
But no American milestone exceeds the importance of July 4. We love to draw inspiration from those who paved the way for freedom and examine how their stories line up with God’s design for human flourishing. Why? Because we want to continue their legacy as stewards of our national heritage for the sake of God’s glory.
We also want to ensure that the next generation understands and appreciates the cost of the freedoms we enjoy. In the coming year, we’ll have even more opportunities for reflection and growth as we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s birth on July 4, 2026. Let freedom ring!
While many picture our founding fathers as predominantly white Europeans, there were also many African Americans who served the cause of freedom. These men not only played important roles in our nation’s birth, but they also led the way for racial equality.
Benjamin Banneker was born a freeman on Nov. 9, 1731, to former slave Robert Bannaky and his wife, Mary. His grandmother was a white indentured servant from England who taught young Benjamin how to read. Largely self-educated, Banneker farmed the 100-acre family property outside Baltimore for most of his life, but he also became a preeminent mathematician and astronomer. Banneker’s industry and intellect earned the respect of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and other prominent figures of the Federalist Era.
We see Banneker’s most memorable act for freedom in a letter he wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1791, urging the then secretary of State to advocate for the freedom of slaves. Firmly, but respectfully, Banneker called out Jefferson for holding slaves himself and used the Founder’s own words to make a case for racial equality — words you and I learned to recite as children: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal …”
James Armistead, born into slavery around 1760, persuaded his master to let him enlist in the Continental Army, serving under Marquis de Lafayette. He went on to infiltrate British intelligence by pretending to be a runaway slave. Because the Brits valued Armistead’s vast knowledge of the Virginia terrain, he became a double agent, managing to deceive his superiors, British Gen. Cornwallis and the infamous American turncoat, Benedict Arnold.
In 1781, Armistead provided pivotal information to help secure the major American victory at Yorktown that won the war. But despite his contributions, Armistead was forced to return to a life of slavery. In 1784, Lafayette advocated for Armistead’s freedom, and he finally became a free man in 1787.
Out of respect and gratitude for Lafayette, Armistead added the Frenchman’s name to his own. Though born a slave, Armistead never stopped aspiring to freedom. He showed tremendous resourcefulness, courage and persistence as he fought for America’s freedom, as well as his own personal freedom.
Jack “Prince” Sisson, who also entered the Revolutionary War as an enslaved man, is best known for his service in a risky mission to capture British Gen. Richard Prescott. The Continental Army needed the high-ranking British prisoner to make an even exchange in the recovery of American Gen. Charles Henry Lee.
According to reports, Prince Sisson used his stout frame — with his head as a battering ram — to force open the door to Prescott’s sleeping quarters. Because of the successful mission, the American general was rescued in the trade that took place nine months later on April 21, 1778. Sisson also fought at the battles of Rhode Island and Yorktown and was given his freedom at the end of the war.
Despite those days of rampant African oppression worldwide, these remarkable Black Americans caught the vision of a nation aspiring to provide freedom for all.Using the resources and influence available to them, they fought for liberties not fully realized during their lifetime.
We follow their example when we use our gifts (including our right to vote) to fight for freedom and justice, though we may never see the fruits of our labor.
May our resolve be refreshed by Benjamin Banneker’s words to Thomas Jefferson: “I hope you cannot but acknowledge, that it is the indispensible duty of those who ... profess the obligations of Christianity, to extend their power and influence to the relief of every part of the human race, from whatever burthen or oppression they may unjustly labour under.”
Debbie Wuthnow is the president of iVoterGuide, a division of AFA Action, and a member of the board of directors of AFA Action. She joined iVoterGuide in 2011 as a data analyst and was named president in 2018. iVoterGuide is a one-stop resource for candidate ratings and election information.