Скачать или смотреть Thomas "Blind Thom" Wiggins - Musical prodigy born a slave

Thomas "Blind Thom" Wiggins was born into slavery, blind at birth. Because of this, he could not do any of the manual labour that was demanded of other slaves, even toddlers.

It was soon discovered that young Thom Wiggins was a musical prodigy. His first recorded public appearance was at the age of three.

As a child he was invited to perform for US President Buchanan, at the age of 11. He was the first African-American performer invited to perform at the White House.

Thomas had a prodigious memory for music, speeches, and sounds. This was incorporated into his act as a novelty. He was marketed as "The Negro Prodigy", more akin to a circus act than what he really was - a prodigiously talented composer and musical savant.

Slavery and racism did not allow for Thom Wiggins to receive the acclaim and rewards due to him a true musical talent, nor did it allow him to receive the sympathy and compassion that he should have received as a neuro-divergent human being.

He died on the 13th of June 1908 at the age of 59. In 1976 the residents of his home town in Columbus, Georgia raised a commemorative headstone to honour his life and legacy.

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