The Shared Story of German Immigrants and African Americans in Missouri - Big Muddy Speaker Series

Presentation by Sociologist Cecilia Nadal and Cultural Historian Sydney Norton. Filmed at the Big Muddy Speaker Series at Les Bourgeois Bistro in Rocheport, MO on May 9, 2023.

Hosted by Missouri River Relief (www.riverrelief.org).

For more info - https://bigmuddyspeakers.org/events/e...

Ever wondered how Missouri fit into the abolitionist movement? Within the social and political context of nineteenth-century Missouri, German specialist Sydney Norton shared the contributions of German immigrants who dedicated their lives to ending slavery, and who, in some cases, worked with African Americans to institute laws of social equality after slavery was abolished. Sydney investigated the contributions of key political figures, such as Friedrich Muench, Arnold Krekel, and Henry and Augustus Boernstein, who, in their actions and writings, helped mobilize members of the German community to support Abraham Lincoln and fight for the principles of democracy.

Sociologist and playwright Cecilia Nadal followed with a discussion of how the story of the German abolitionists inspired her to investigate the shared history of African Americans and German Americans. After discussing their complex and evolving historical relationships prior to, during, and following the Civil War, Nadal shared personal insights gleaned from discussion groups she facilitated with urban and rural Missourians from both ethnic groups. She explained why this history of relationships is crucial for our society’s well-being today. Nadal also discussed how this history shaped the direction of her play, An Amazing Story: German Abolitionists of Missouri, which toured in St. Louis, Washington and Hermann.