This is a visual and interactive timeline that takes you way back into time. From the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island Borikén to the Trans Atlantic Enslaved Trade to freedom to the Black Panther Party to the Young Lords and TODAY. From enslavement to freedom, the fight for liberation continues. & let me ask... what is to be black and puerto rican? Where's your Grandmother from? A question that's been asked quite a lot. Meaning.. where is your grand mother from?
A municipality is a city or town that has an elected official like a Mayor and others that have been elected to govern them. Puerto Rico has 78. Notice Loiza a town not too far from San Juan full of afro-puertorican. This town has the largest black population.
When Christopher Columbus encountered the Bahamas as we know it today, in his diary he wrote about how kind the Taíno were. They even helped fix his damaged ship. Seeing how hard they worked he decided to enslave them. The Taíno had "no" weapons.
Columbus kept a journal. He described the people he encountered as naked as they were born, a people who absorbed what was told to them and a giving people. Who believed they were from heaven.. Check out pg 41 for an idea. Click find out more.
Puerto Rico was once called Borikén. This was the aboriginal name given to the Island by the highest chief (cacique) Agüeybaná who governed the Taino people. It means the ‘Land of the valiant / brave lord’. They lived off the land by way of fishing, hunting, and agriculture. They spread far and wide. Also lived in Florida, most parts of Cuba the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Ayiti now Haiti. When Columbus arrived on the island he tried to force Taino’s to convert to Christianity. Lords of the land realized that Columbus had someone over him and so they alleged their obedience to the far-off Men and Woman Columbus answered to.
This boat is the Santa Maria. One of the Ships Columbus used in his voyage. On his 2nd quest he landed on the island Borikén, he kidnapped 24 Taíno’s and brought them to Spain to be enslaved. Soon after, he brought more ships and over 1500 were captured; women and children also. Within just 25 yrs. After his arrival and cruelty, there weren’t many Taíno’s left in Borikén and effortlessly they were conquered, enslaved, and starved. Columbus forced Taíno's to work and tortured them whenever he chose. "The Spaniards had little regard for Taíno’s, would even cut them to see just how sharp his blades were".
When the Spaniards stepped foot on Borikén soil, they were believed to be Gods. Agüeybaná II had his doubts and was able to lure some of Columbus's men to the river to be drowned. They believed if they were Gods, they would not die. But, they drowned and soon after started an uprising against the colonizers, that lasted 8 yrs. Agüeybaná II was shot and killed. He is considered a hero and one who was loyal to his people.
Hatuey was a Taíno chief of the Hispaniola / Haití. The Dominican republic and Haití made the Hispanola. Which the Spaniards colonized. He escaped and went to warn Cuba about the how they enslaved, tortured and killed Taínos and on their way to do the same. When The Spanish arrived they came with enslaved Africans to search for gold in the river. Africans united with the Taínos and together started a revolt. Hatuey was burned alive. Story has it, he was asked did he want to repent to Jesus. He had never heard of such a thing..and asked would the Spaniards also be there? And if so, he'd rather burn in hell that come back and live with such evil people in paradise. (Feb. 2, 1512: Taíno Leader Hatuey Executed in Cuba - Zinn Education Project, 2023)
Enslaved Africans from Africa were trafficked, shipped naked in chains, like cargo across the Atlantic Ocean by the hundreds, and over time, over 10 million. Man, woman, child, all separated to be auctioned and sold. 1 slave owner alone was said to have owned over 1,000 enslaved. They were brought to St Vincent, St Lucia, Antigua, and Brazil to be used as free labor on the plantations. Columbus claimed many islands across the Caribbean. Timeline below:
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