_ Next to the junction of I-95 and Broad Street in Richmond,
Virginia, next to the Main Street Train Station, is a historical marker sign about the execution of Gabriel. It is
literally at the crossroads of Richmond’s past and present. You may have
driven by it many times. You really have to keep your eyes peeled to see
it. Drive by too fast, and you could miss it completely. The story of
Gabriel is one that is unfamiliar to many Virginians - and to many Americans -
but his story is one that must be told.
In learning about the institution of slavery and the issues that
divided our nation and led to the Civil War, we have learned a lot about the
roles played by enslaved women and men that escaped to the North and became abolitionists -
strong individuals like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick
Douglass. Nat Turner and John Brown tried to lead slave rebellions but
failed. Many people do not realize that enslaved African-American Gabriel
Prosser attempted to do the same right here in Richmond.
Listen to this song and read the lyrics to learn more about
Gabriel. Once we know more about this historical figure, we will explore
contemporary historical preservation issues and attempt to recognize the
historical importance of what he did and Richmond's central role in the slave
trade.
tim_barry_lyrics.docx | |
File Size: | 119 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click on Tim Barry's picture to watch him perform the song live.