Martin Robinson Delany

By: Kaila Hough

Martin Robinson Delany was an abolitionist, journalist, physician, and writer born in Charles Town, West Virginia (then part of Virginia) on May 6, 1812 and passed on January 24, 1885. Martin accomplished many of his goals in life such as being one of the first AfricanAmericans to attend Harvard Medical School and also being the first African-American Field Officer in the US Army during the Civil War. He had many beliefs such as No Segregation and that all females should have the same rights as males. Martin stood for what he thought was righteous. If Martin Robinson Delany was a middle-aged man living in Charles Town, West Virginia present day, he would be very displeased with the behaviors and attitudes displayed. Martin Delany fault majority of his life trying to end the wrongdoings of society. He believed all were equal and that everyone should have peace and respect. He didnt believe in segregation and racism. As far as most is concerned, segregation and racism is over, but as one looks more in depth, it is far from over. In Charles Town, West Virginia, most of society resigning there are either racist or segregated. If one looks even farther in depth, they would see the segregation in schools, in jobs, and anywhere where there would be a mixture of all races, ages, and genders. Starting at preschool to nursing homes, there is obvious separation which Martin fault to end. There are less and less groups and clicks of multiple races and cultures. Now a days, African Americans stick together, Caucasians stick together, and so on and so forth. A mixed person is forced to pick their stronger side, and if they dont, theyre then forced to be an outcast. Not only is there separation, but major racism put together with stereotyping. If youre African American, youre automatically ghetto and no one takes the time to get to know who you really are. If youre Caucasian, youre automatically ditsy and preppy and youre now put under a classification that would never fit who you really are. If youre Asian, youre automatically smart. No one can be who they really are

without getting looked down upon or thrown out of what people call life. If Martin Delany was still alive and was a middle-aged man living in Charles Town, West Virginia, he wouldnt like what he would see. It is hard for a person to live and be who they are due to racism and segregation. Everyone worries about what the next person thinks and everyone throws judgment around freely. Martin Delany looked forward to a day where everyone can be together and no one felt like an outcast or felt like they were being put down or frowned upon, but unfortunately, that day has yet to come.