Story of Mascogos unfolds in film By Mary Beth Cleavelin |
 Graphic by Angela J. Palacios / The South |
The Black Heritage Awareness Celebration Committee hosted a Brown Bag Lecture on the Black Seminoles on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
The viewing of the documentary “From Florida to Coahuila: The History of the Black Seminoles” was held in the Turner Bishop Café, followed by a short question and answer session, as part of Black Heritage month here at TAMUK.
The film tells the story of the Mascogos, better known in the United States as the Black Seminoles.
Starting in Florida, runaway slaves in the 1800s teamed up with the Seminole Indians after U.S. authorities forcibly took their land, eventually resettling in Northern Mexico.
In the documentary, interviews with descendants of the Mascogos bring to light the traditions of their people.
“These are people that never gave in. They are not a conquered people,” says Cecilia Rhoades, assistant professor of psychology and sociology.
The Black Seminoles are the only tribe that did not sign a treaty with the U.S. government, and as one descendant says, “technically we’re still at war.”
“It’s important for us to know who we are and where we come from,” says Rhoades, speaking of why students should learn more about these cultures.
Black Heritage month will continue with another Brown Bag Lecture on “Buffalo Soldiers” on Feb. 6 in the MSUB 219 A & B at 2 p.m.