Harrisburg students explore ‘Unsung Patriots of the American Revolution’

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Student research on African Americans who played roles in the American Revolution will be on display through Black History Month on the Penn State Harrisburg campus, wrapping up a project that has spanned several semesters and groups of students.

The “Unsung Patriots of the American Revolution” exhibit is the culmination of a multi-semester project for students taking the African American Studies 100 course, Black Freedom Struggles, taught by Beatrice Epwene, assistant teaching professor of communications in the School of Humanities.

The posters on display feature profiles of African American soldiers and patriots of the American Revolution. The project has been passed along over three semesters; students in previous courses began the work and gave their research to the next class, said Epwene. Each semester, the students had to learn how to distill their information in order to “teach” the next group.

“We’re trying to find ways to engage the students so they are actively learning,” Epwene said. “They have really learned a lot.”

At an opening ceremony for the exhibit on Feb. 3, students stood with their research posters in the Olmsted Building atrium, offering a brief history of the African American patriot they studied to campus community members who stopped by.

Patriots profiled included Cato Smith, Silas Burdoo, and Peter Salem, along with others. Several students said the project was challenging, because some of the individuals they researched were not well known and the students didn’t have a lot of information about their lives.

Student Rachide Barro, who is studying criminology, worked on a poster explaining the contributions of Silas Burdoo, a free African American who fought in the Revolutionary War.

The project really opened students’ eyes about the people who fought for freedom, “especially African Americans that got forgotten or lost in history,” Barro said.

“It just shows me the appreciation we have to have for these fallen soldiers,” he said.

Jeremiah Monroe, a cybersecurity analytics and operations major, worked on a presentation about Peter Salem, who was born into slavery and was emancipated in order to enlist.

Monroe noted that African Americans were oppressed at the time they were fighting in the Revolution.  

“To see somebody stand up and be a patriot, even during oppression … was very inspiring,” he said.

He added that it was a nice experience to share the profiles with the community.

“It shows the people around campus the different people who fought for our freedom,” Monroe said.

Epwene said students learned different skill sets, including exploring new sources for research, learning new technologies, and presenting information to an audience.

“It opens up their minds beyond the classroom,” she said.

She hopes presenting the project to the campus community helps people appreciate the freedoms and liberties the unsung patriots helped to secure freedom for everyone, she said.

“I hope they get to rethink history and appreciate all those who contributed in one way or another, even the unknowns,” she said.

Where to see the exhibit:

Through Feb. 26, the students’ posters can be viewed in the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre during Common Hour (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) or by appointment.

A closing reception will be held at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Kulkarni Theatre.