Post-Revolutionary Recognition: Slave Honored as ‘African American Patriot’ at Capitol

I read this article in the Washington Post on Sunday.  It talks about a painting which has been in hanging up in the U.S. Capitol since 1899; Seen Below:

The painting shows American Revolution General Francis Marion offering a British Officer a bite of his food being prepared by a slave; roasted yams to be exact.

A distant cousin has identified the slave in the picture as Oscar Marion; a slave who belonged to General Francis Marion.  Of course slaves had no choice but to take the last names of their masters.  Which means we will probably never know Oscar’s real full name.

Jones unearthed Oscar Marion’s name while researching the Marion branch of her family, members of whom were among about 200 slaves on the Marion plantation. Jones said she became fascinated about a year ago with the references she found to Francis Marion and the slave who always accompanied him, sometimes referred to simply as Oscar. The two were side by side during the seven years of the Revolutionary War, far longer than most men of the time served. In addition to his duties for the general, Oscar Marion also fought in the militia.

“In books written about Francis Marion, he is described as ‘the faithful Negro servant,’ ” Jones said.

 Let’s Celebrate!!!

According to to the Post:

In a ceremony yesterday at the Capitol, Marion was recognized as the “African American Patriot” he always was. A proclamation signed by President Bush expressed the thanks of a “grateful nation” and recognized Oscar Marion’s “devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.”

I love the way we try to sugar coat history.  Oscar was a slave; he was bought and paid for.  His contributions to the war should be admired and honored, but let’s not get it twisted, it was not voluntary. The alternative option would 9 times out of 10, been death.  And this picture has been inside the U.S. Capitol since 1899???? 

Please read  James Collier’s blog page Acting White  (no. it’s not a racist pasge…lol) He has an excellent blog about this story.  His blog page has a wealth of information  and I have learned so much from him.

Here are some other comments that I read about this article which were on point.

danresume: Your article is riddled with inaccuracies and racism: He was NOT a faithful servant. He was ENSLAVED! Do not use the word slave. It denies dignity to these human beings. Now Oscar Marion is anonymous no longer. He has had his name restored. NO HE HASNT! He was forced to take his ENSLAVERS name. WE DO NOT KNOW THIS HUMAN BEINGS REAL NAME BECAUSE HE WAS DENIED THE SIMPLE RIGHTS EVERY HUMAN BEING DESERVES. He lived a miserable life because he did not live in freedom and with dignity.

pvaz1946: The man was a slave. He did not serve his MASTER willingly. He had one other option run and die. The only reason he had the last name of Marion was it showed ownership. If he had been sold he would have had to take the last name of his new owner. This whole thing is ridiculous.