Friday, February 24, 2017

PASTOR INVITES VALLEY RESIDENTS TO LEARN BLACK HISTORY

By Raul Garcia
Valley Morning Star 
Staff writer

HARLINGEN — It was a brisk windy morning at the Fort Brown campus in Brownsville when Pastor Ray Ellington was researching black history in the Valley.

That day he was looking into the history of the Buffalo Soldiers who were stationed at Fort Brown and fought in the Civil War. He met up with Dr. Tony Zavaleta, a member of the board of trustees of Texas Southmost College, who has written and researched about the African American troops stationed at Fort Brown between 1864 to 1906.


Ellington, originally from Arkansas, and an Army veteran is the pastor at the Corinth Baptist Church in Harlingen.

His recent trip to find out as much as he could about the Buffalo Soldiers stationed in Brownsville was because of the community event he’s spearheading focusing on black history in the Valley.

The all-day event will be Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1201 W. Van Buren Ave. in Harlingen.

Ellington is requesting all African Americans in the Valley and the community to come and enjoy the day remembering black history in the Valley together.

“The reason we are doing this is because I’m a newcomer to the Valley and I had no idea of the black history here,” Ellington said. “When I started finding out about the rich African American history I knew I had to do this.”

Ellington said there are a significant number of blacks living in the Valley who don’t know the history of African Americans here.

He said the idea that this is a Hispanic community and blacks have no history here is wrong.

To read the rest of the story, click on link below:

http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_54a0038c-f660-11e6-8fe5-fba124319886.html#.WK9YlCp5xFU.email

19 comments:

Diego lee rot said...

What a coincidence I was just reading about the curse of Ham

Anonymous said...

Several people have asked Dr. Zavaleta about the TSC building named after Robert E. Lee. His response to them was very similar. He agrees that it's time to change the building's name. We'll see if he keeps his word.

Anonymous said...

"He said the idea that this is a Hispanic community and blacks have no history here is wrong."

LOL The Hispanics here kiss up to the local Anglos who love the Confederacy. Our own Mexican-American history is also a joke! When are we going to get our stories told? The Charro Days parades aren't enough. They are great for learning about Mexico, but not about our region.

KBRO said...

"Several people have asked Dr. Zavaleta about the TSC building named after Robert E. Lee." That's a black-faced lie and if it isn't, try holding his feet over the coals over that. Liberal God-hating prick

KBRO said...

UTRGV-UT should place a historical marker to remember the mistreatment of black soldiers at Fort Brown. UTB/TSC said they would place one but never did. That was in 2006, 100 years after incident known as Brownsville Raid or Brownsville Affray etc.

Anonymous said...

Fuck you, Diego! Simpleton ! Jim hates you!

Anonymous said...

In a couple of weeks (in March) we will celebrate St. Patricks Day.
The "St. Patrick's Batallion" is part of our local history, yet, I've NEVER seen Dr. Knopp, Mayor Martinez, anyone from the city Comission (Ricardo Longoria, if he ever taught a Spanish class in his life) should KNOW the history that these IRISH soldiers have with Brownsville. There is not a SINGLE marker in the whole city commemorating their ties to our city. In Mexico city, they were recognized by the Mexican Government, in Ireland by the Irish government, but our IGNORANT and SELFSERVING local government not interested in something that could be an ALTERNATIVE to the ever boring and tiresome "Charro Days" festivities.

Anonymous said...

Many have protested that ISIS destroyed historical sites in Iraq and Syria. "Political correctness" seeks to destroy or change history in this country...to try to make history conform to today's ideas. Tony Zavaleta, supposedly an anthropologist, is a conformist and seems to think politics and political correctness is more important than history and the need to protect history. Zavaleta is an egotistical asshole who goes with the flow....not an anthropolotist. By, the way, what has he written about the Buffalo Soldiers???????????

Anonymous said...

I have no interest in any form of black history.

Anonymous said...

There were black (colored) troops in the Civil War, fighting for both the Union and the Confederacy. Following the Civil War some of the black union veterans were organized into two regiments of cavalry (9th and 10th) and two regiments of infantry (24th and 25th). These four regiments were stationed in the "West" where they did their fair share in the conflict with the Native Americans. Taken as a whole, their regimental records equal or best those of white regiments.

The truth of the "Brownsville Raid" will most likely not be fully known. But, one thing is certain and that is the black soldiers didn't get a fair shake from their government which they served very well.

For the record, I find all of this anglo/mexican/black back and forth bullshit, just that bullshit and the stalking horse for all kinds of political agendas. History is history and all should be honored for their place in it. Disinterring ancient acts and turning them into current grievances despicable, whoever does it.

Unknown said...

A note to all: No one has asked me about changing the name of a Jacob Brown Complex room! Secondly I would have to think about it and thirdly I have already begun the process to establish an Historical Marker on our campus honoring the service of US Colored Troops at Fort Brown. They should be honored!

Anonymous said...

Dang, KBRO is always angry when someone posts facts. At least he admits that TSC promises things and doesn't follow through. Maybe trustee Herrera will do something this time around.

Anonymous said...

It's about time you say something fairly intelligent, KBRO. I'm talking about your second comment. Your first comment was a bit ridiculous. I don't know who you're calling a Liberal God-hating prick, but you need to set up a new appointment with your therapist. These kids are getting to you again.

Anonymous said...

No seas mamon - KBRO. Dices una pendejada y luego otra cosa mas o menos buena.

KBRO said...

Here's a link (copy and paste it or just check "Bronsbil Estacion" blog) for those interested in the Harlingen event. It was really good.


http://bronsbilestacion.blogspot.com/2017/02/2017-0226-buffalo-soldiers-remembered.html

Anonymous said...

Ahh, the Saint Patrick's battalion. No American city is going to honor a bunch of deserters and traitors to their oath. The US Army hung every one of those turncoat bastards they could catch. Every veteran who served the United States with honor would take umbrage at such a recognition.

Anonymous said...

The central problem with Browntown is that all of the Mexicans want to wallow in being Mexican and care too little about being American. Mexico is a retarded country and why cling to that bunch of losers. As long as you continue to wallow in your Mexicanism, you will forever the the poor, ignorant, corrupt ass hole of the United States.

Charro Days days was conceived of, organized and implemented by the local Gringos for generations. It did not come from the minds of the local "Hispanics" who seem to see it as a acceleration of their culture. It was the Gringos trying to increase business and trade with Matamoros. In the main, they were mocking the Mexicans with Charro Days.

Anonymous said...

Ay, Toñito. It's okay if you don't remember. My niece and I had a very similar conversation with you. I'm sure you have lots of presentations and forget things like me. My father was one of the few residents who defended the black soldiers. It's embarrassing that many Brownsville and Matamoros residents would curse at them.

The building smells like mold and is probably making people sick. It should be torn down. I support a historical marker honoring those troops. I also support a name change. I thought most Texas Southmost College buildings were named after people who had a direct impact on the city and surrounding area. Robert E. Lee was stationed in Rio Grande City. Honoring him here is a bit of a stretch.

The crew at KMBH says Hello.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Zavaleta, my apologies. I forgot to clarify. My niece and I both spoke to you about the Lee Youth Center, not the Jacob Brown Complex room. I also enjoyed hearing about your topic on el Niño Fidencio. I won't sign my name here. Last time I did that, I was harassed by several men.

rita