Leaving a lasting impression

Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it, and right now San Francisco history is hitting the rewind button. Exorbitant living costs are driving black families from The City — just as economic hard times did 150 years ago.

Next week, the San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society, in collaboration with a number of city agencies, will mark the famous 1858 exodus of hundreds of blacks from California to Victoria, B.C. — the result of financial falloff from the Gold Rush and racial rumblings in which the state was debating passing a black Exclusion Act.

“It was a very oppressive situation at the time,’’ society President Al Williams said.

A number of events commemorating the time — and celebrating some historic black churches in The City — will be held next week. For a full schedule, go to www.sfaahcs.org.

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150TH ANNIVERSARY
OF MASS AFRICAN AMERICAN EXODUS FROM
SAN FRANCISCO TO VICTORIA, BC

The San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society (the Society), in collaboration with representatives of the African American Art and Culture Complex, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, the University of San Francisco, the Port of San Francisco, the National Parks Service and the San Francisco Unified School District, will host various activities during the week of April 20, 2008 to commemorate the 1858 Exodus of more than 200 hundred African Americans from San Francisco to Victoria, BC. The commemoration of the 1858 Exodus will provide opportunities to examine the contemporary African American out-migration from San Francisco.

Commemorative events will include an ecumenical service co-sponsored by 150 year old First AME Zion Church, a re-enactment of the exodus at the National Park Service Hyde Street Pier, a reception at the Port of San Francisco, a scholars’ forum at Bethel AME Church, Joint meetings of the Society’s and SFUSD History Teachers’ book clubs and presentations at the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s and the Port Commission meetings.

In the journal Phylon Robert W. O’Brien wrote that “[i]n 1858 some eight hundred colored persons migrated from California to the British Crown Colony of Victoria. The story back of this migration is one of discrimination and legal strangulation which made California virtually a slave state.

The commemorative events will educate San Franciscans about a little know part of the City’s history and about the courage and enduring struggle of African Americans to escape from slavery and find freedom.

For more information about the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the 1858 Exodus of Blacks from San Francisco to Victoria, BC please call the San Francisco African Historical & Cultural Society at 415 / 292-6172 or visit the Exodus’ website at www.sfexodus.com.

The San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society (the “Society”) was founded in 1955. Its mission is to document, preserve and present the history and culture of San Francisco’s African American Community. The Society is a membership based institution open to all who support its mission.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sunday, April 20, 2008
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Commemoration of Exodus
Ecumenical Service
African American Art and Culture Complex
762 Fulton Street, 3rd Floor (Hall of Culture), San Francisco, CA 94102

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Departure Re-enactment
Symbolic Launching of the Commodore
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park: Hyde Street Pier
499 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

1:30 – 2:30 PM
Presentation
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
City Hall, San Francisco, CA

3:30 – 4:30 PM
Presentation
San Francisco Port Commission
Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

5:30 – 7:30 PM
Reception
Port of San Francisco
Pier 1, Conference Room, San Francisco, CA

Thursday, April 24, 2008

SFAAHCS/SFUSD History Teachers Book Club
4:15 – 6:15 PM
African American Art and Culture Complex
762 Fulton Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102

Friday, April 25, 2008

Context Statement Forum: the Exodus of 1858 and Its Implications for San Francisco’s African American Heritage
12:00 – 3:00 PM
Bethel A.M.E. Church
916 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115