The forgotten story of African-Americans in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn has always been a vibrant and diverse borough, but long before it became the popular spot for hipsters and commuters, it had a unique history. As Prithi Kanakamedala explains in her book "Brooklynites: The Remarkable Story of the Free Black Communities that Shaped a Borough," Brooklyn was once the third largest city in America. It stood on its own, separate from Manhattan and the rest of New York City.

But beyond its size and independence, Brooklyn was also known for its thriving free black communities. In her book, Kanakamedala delves into the remarkable story of these communities and the impact they had on shaping the borough. They were an integral part of Brooklyn's history, contributing to its culture and growth.

However, amidst the vibrant and diverse atmosphere, there were also struggles and challenges faced by the residents of Brooklyn. One of these challenges was discrimination. Despite being a free city, Brooklyn was not immune to racism and prejudice. In fact, it was a place where black individuals faced discrimination in many aspects of their lives.

Despite these challenges, the free black communities of Brooklyn persevered and made significant contributions to the borough. They established businesses, built schools and places of worship, and created a sense of community and belonging. Their resilience and determination played a crucial role in shaping Brooklyn into the diverse and vibrant borough it is known as today.

In "Brooklynites," Kanakamedala sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the borough's history and celebrates the significant contributions of its free black communities. It is a reminder that behind every city's growth and development, there are stories of ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions. And in the case of Brooklyn, it was the free black communities that helped shape the borough into the unique and dynamic place it is today.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]