Kemet1luv's article

There’s rarely an in-between when it comes to the never ending debate of the Pit Bulls’ place in society. But how exactly did Pit Bulls go from being “America’s Dog”, the SAVAGE dog of the slave owner, and slave catcher at the turn of the 20th century to one of the most beloved K9's in Black American households in the past few decades?

The American Pit Bull is a purebred dog that finds its history rooted in the now extinct Old English Terriers, and the Old English Bulldogs, which were both bred together to produce a dog that combined gameness, strength, and athleticism. These dogs named Bulls and Terriers were bred in the British Isles, and arrived in the United States in the late nineteenth century, where they became the direct ancestors of the American Pit Bull. In the United Kingdom, Bull-and-terriers were used in blood sports such as bull baiting and bear baiting. Upon arrival in America, the American Pit Bull, highly intelligent, short haired dog, was the MOST OFTEN chosen to fill the role of companion dog for slave owners, and savage hunters of the ‘run-away’ slave catchers. 

Pit Bulls, a medium sized dog, also bred as Bull mastiffs, a larger version, were referred to by slave catchers as ‘Dog Men’,  were one of the most diabolical weapons used on enslaved Africans in America. Slave owners/Masters and catchers trained these beast to hunt bears and runaway slaves alike. Locate, alert, maul, and contain tactics were often used on our ancestors. Sadistic slave catchers would sometimes reward these savage killer dogs during a hunt, catchers would instruct the dog to attackt the abdomens of the runaway slaves, and eat his/her stomach flesh; this method of reward was particularly rewarding when attacking pregnant escaped slaves. 

During the 19th century the Southern states of America managed there Slave Empire with extreme brutality, the mere use of chattel slavery on the worlds African populations and indigenous people proved to be highly profitable, and equally polarizing. The enslaved people of the southern American states particularly were forced to negotiate with wild beast when trying to escape bondage. The wildlife that proliferated throughout much of the south, particularly in the swamps found throughout the region, meant that running away entailed more than simply avoiding catchers and vile masters.  Indeed, runaway enslaved people, often labeled ‘fugitives’ consistently noted the multiple dangers.  One in particular was Solomon Northup, a famous former slave, gave this account of his escape into a Louisianan swamp:

‘For thirty or forty miles it is without habitants, save wild beasts – the bear, the wild-cat, the tiger, and great slimy reptiles, that are crawling through it everywhere.  I staggered on, fearing every instant I should feel the dreadful sting of the moccasin, or be crushed within the jaws of some disturbed alligator.  The dread of them now almost equaled the fear of the pursuing hounds’ [Twelve Years a Slave, edited by Sue Eakin and Joseph Logsdon (1968), 103-104].’

Despite the many obstacles faced in his pursuit of freedom, the wild creatures still did not frighten him as much as the pursuing ‘hounds’. Interviews of many former slaves in the 1930s reiterate the fact that, despite the numerous threats from wild southern animals, it was the use of trained dogs, mainly the Pit Bull that most frightened them.

Former slaves claimed that masters, and professional slave catchers would use ‘savage dogs, trained to hunt and follow the track of the poor colored fugitive’ [William J. B Anderson, Life and Narrative of William J. Anderson, Twenty-four Years a Slave (1857), 48]. Further accounts from slave-owners suggest that the fears of the enslaved people, were not far off. According to Bennett H. Barrow diary, one slaveholder from Louisiana, frequently mentioned the importance of dogs in capturing runaways, as well as the terrible violence they could inflict: ‘hunting Ruffins Boy Henry, came across Williams runaway caught him dogs nearly et his legs off, near killing him’.  [Diary, Mss. 2978, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La, 440]. 

The Psychotic American slave owners/masters had such faith in using specially breed dogs to root out runaways, particularly the more dangerous groups or “maroons”, was recognized by other former slaves who stated that ‘masters would be afraid to go hunt them without dogs’ [George P. Rawick (ed) The American Slave, Vol. 9, (1972), 102].  Dogs played a significant role in the repressive machinery of bondage and they were admired by whites and dreaded by enslaved people.  As one ex-slave stated: ‘if the colored folks had started an uprising the white folks would have set the hounds on us and killed us’ [Rawick (ed.), The American Slave, Vol. 8, (1972) 227].

Enslaved Africans were not simply struck dead with fear in the face of the Pit Bull, runaways would plan their escapes with the dogs in mind and had different tactics to avoid them.  Ex-slaves recalled attempts to make the dogs ‘los’ de scent’ in various different ways  [John W. Blassingame, Slave Testimony (1977), 608].  Another ex-slave, recalling slave life, noted that ‘Sam greased his feet with rabbit-grease, and that kept the dogs from him. Aunt Jane said to me that she did not know what Sam used, but it looked like Sam could go off and stay as long as he wanted when the white folks got after him’ [Octavia V. Rogers Albert, The House of Bondage (1890), 22*].  Another former slave remembered instead how her father would ‘wade in water’ so ‘dey [the dogs] can’t track him’. [Rawick (ed.), The American Slave, Supplement, Series 2, Vol. 4, (1977), 45].

Not all of our enslaved ancestors struggled to avoid the savage Pit Bulls, choosing to confront these beast instead.  On ex-slave noted, ‘Dey had to keep knives from Pappy or when dem dogs cotch him he would jus’ cut ‘em up so dey would die’ (Rawick, The American Slave, Vol.12 (1972), 309-10). Barrow’s diary also collaborated these accounts, [p.348]: ‘Mr Turnbulls negros are cutting up a great many shines – 16 ran off & have defied him – are well armed killed two of his dogs while in pursuit of them’.

Despite the undeniable ferocity and tenacity of the Pit Bull, suggestions that ‘the slave is obliged too often to yield and be torn by the savage dogs who gratify the vengeful dispositions of the masters’ do not do justice to the scale of conflict between runaways and dogs [Anderson, Life and Narrative, 48].  

One tale of pursuit by dogs has it that a slave who constantly attempted escapes simply ‘bit a dog’s foot off.  They asked him why he did that and he said the dog bit him and he bit him back’ [George P. Rawick (ed.), The American Slave, Vol. 9, (1972), 38].

It is evident that the Pit Bull, a.k.a ‘Dog Men’ played a significant role in the repressive regime of slavery. Owners and patrollers marveled at the ingenuity and ferocity of the dogs themselves [Barrow, Diary, 378].  

Our ancestors feared the savage attacks and relentless pursuit of these beast, but also fought back and factored Pit Bulls into their escape plans. This is obviously not to say that Pit Bulls and enslaved people were always pitted against one another; enslaved people could sometimes forge friendly relations with the dogs, and sometimes used them in their escape, or appreciate their role in hunting. 

Yet despite this, the role of the Pit Bull in maintaining slavery was well known and the tale of a so-called emancipation that went neatly underscores how integral slaves saw Pit Bulls were to the slave system that oppressed them, and terrorized them AND HISTORIANS, AND OTHERS SHOULD TOO!

5. RUNOKO RASHIDI

Runoko Rashidi is an Anthropologist and historian with a major focus on what he calls the "Global African Presence- that is, Africans outside Africa before and after enslavement." Runoko the author & editor of 18 books, the most recent of which are 'My Global Journeys in Search of the African Presence' & 'Assata-Garvey and Me: A Global AAfrican Journey for Children' in 2017. His other works includes the'African Presence in Early Asia', co-edited by Dr. Ivan Van Sertima. Four of Runoko's books have been printed in French. 

As a traveler and researcher Dr. Runoko has visited 120 countries. As a lecturer and presenter, he has spoken in sixty-five countries. Throughout his remarkable career Runoko has worked with and under some of the most distinguished scholars of our generation, including Ivan Van Sertima, John Henrik Clarke, Asa G. Hillard, Edward Scobie, John G. Jackson, and Dr. Yosef Ben Jochannan.

Rashidi's illustrious career includes many recognition's from around the world, Rashidi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree by the Amen-Ra Theological Seminary in Los Angeles, CA. In 1999, he was the keynote speaker at the International Reunion of the African Family in Venezuela, and was also the first keynote speaker at the First Global Black Nationalities Conference in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Today, Runoko Rashidi is pursuing a major work on the African presence in the museums of the world. Rashidi serves as the Traveling Ambassador for Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and African Communities League. Rashidi is still a masterful tour leader and continues to take groups to Egypt/Kemet, India, Australia, Fiji, Turkey, Jordan, Brazil, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Gambia, France, Morocco, Spain, and beyond.

4. ANTHONY T. BROWDER

Anthony T. Browder is an author and publisher of 6 books used in classrooms across the world., including the classics 'From the Browder Files', and 'Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization'. Browder is also a cultural historian, an artist, and an education consultant. He is a graduate of Howard University's College of Fine Arts and has lectured extensively throughout the United States, Africa, Caribbean, Mexico, Japan and Europe, on issues related to African  and African American History and Cultural. 

Browder has traveled to Egypt/Kemet 54 times since 1980 and is currently director of the ASA Restoration Project, which is funding the excavation and restoration of the 25th dynasty tomb of Karakhamun in Luxor, Egypt. Browder is also the founder and director of IKG Cultural Resource Center and has devoted 30 years researching ancient Egyptian/Kemetic history, science, philosophy, and culture.  

Today, Anthony Browder is the first African American to fund and coordinate an

archeological dig in Egypt and has conducted 23 archaeological missions to

Egypt/Kemet since 2009. The blazing intellectual scholar Browder continues to 

sponsor lectures, seminars, and cultural field trips of Washington D.C., continues to publish research, and continues to conduct study tours to Egypt/Kemet, West Africa, South Africa, and Mexico.

3. ASHRA KWESI

Ashra Kwesi is a world renowned historian and lecturer on ancient African history and religion. He has revealed firsthand information from the ancient temples, tombs, and papyrus papers recorded when African people were teachers of the world. Brother Kwesi brings a wealth of information and a powerful delivery, based on over 3 decades of study and tour experience in the African Nile Valley. He spent 14 years as an assistant to the noted Kemetologist, and Master teacher, Dr. Yosef Ben Jochannan. 

Brother Kwesi has performed extensive historical research on location at the

temples and tombs of Eygpt/Kemet. His wide-ranging study has taken him to

Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, and Ghana. Additionally, he has documented mind

blowing information on African Nile Valley history at the Louvre Museum in

Paris, France, the British Museum in London, England, and the Metropolitan in New York.

Today, the dynamic speaker Kwesi has continued his lecture tour of

universities and organizations in Africa, Great Britain,Japan, throughout the

Caribbean and in the United States. He also continues to appear on numerous

television and radio programs. Most recently Kwesi presented his findings on

ancient Kush at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, the former palace of Emperor

Haile Selassie. Ashra Kwesi is President of Kemet Nu Productions, and tour

leader for "Know Thyself" educational tours of Eygpt and Ethiopia.

2. AYO H. KIMATHI

Ayo H. Kimathi a.k.a. the "Irritated Genie of Soufeese", as he is known as on the lecture tour, is a self-proclaimed 21st-century Black freedom-fighter. He is an outspoken Black activist and international lecturer who focuses on black racial survival and helping African people avert genocide in the 21st-century. Born & raised in Southeast Washington D.C., it was here that Kimathi acquired a deep interest in Black history and racial politics. He is most known for his opposition to homosexuality and pedophilia in the Black world community and his openly expressed animus towards white supremacy.  

Kimathi began his activist career in 1994 with a locally based Washington D.C. Black community group called 'Positive Kemetic Visions' (PKV). This group was most known for taking a public position against homosexuality, pedophilia, and poor behavioral standards in the Black community. In 2005 Kimathi self-published a book entitled, 'War on the Horizon - Black Resistance to the white-sex Assault'.  

In 2015, Kimathi was elected international spokesman of the Straight Black Pride Movement. In the same year, he was officially banned from the country of Bermuda for a lecture he did stating among other things that, "Black men should only date and marry Black women." Based on his adament stance against homosexuality, interracial dating and marriage, and sex, the home Affairs Minister for Bermuda, Michael Fahy, banned Ayo Kimathi from Bermuda for 5 years.

Today, Ayo Kimathi is still one of the most controversial lectures, and adamant defenders of the black family structure. His Kemectic understanding & teachings of MAAT are still evident in his admiration for balance in sexuality, and as his belief in truth in the face of adversity can still witnessed with his numerous boycotts of corporate brands that defile the black family and the worldwide black community. 

1. SARA SUTEN SETI

Sara Suten Seti is the commanding '7 Star General' of the Black Power Cartel (B.P.C.) Movement for Global African Supremacy. General Seti is a second generation student & disciple of the acclaimed Dr. Yosef Ben Jochannan & Dr. John Henrik Clarke. Born & raised on the streets of Detroit, General Seti in his early years was taken under the wing of his Uncle Piankhi Menkheperra and was introduced to African History, heritage, and Nile valley teachings. Piankhi himself also studied under the Grand Master teacher & Priest Dr. Ben Jochannan for 9 years in Eygpt/Kemet. It was under his uncle Piankhi that General Seti was introduced to Dr. Ben Jochannan & Dr. Clarke. 

With all that he learned, General Seti went into the Detroit Public School System as a Youth Program Coordinator, and established the 'Alkebulanian Three Sixty Rites of Passage System' (2000-2005) at Northern Model High. Over 200 students were initiated into African Manhood & Womanhood rites under Seti's leadership for 5 years.

In 2003, General Seti made his first pilgrimage to Egypt/Kemet under Master Teacher Ashra Kwesi. Seti went on to take 2 more trips in 2004-2005 for a total of 3 trips in 3 years, which after he was raised into the 'Craft of Tehuti'. With all the talent that Seti possessed, his first introduction to the world was through YouTube where Seti set the internet on fire with millions of hits! In just three years, Seti went on to produce 40 DVD lectures and launch several websites.

Today, General Seti is one of the most electrifying and thought provoking teachers of African & Nile valley history on tour. In addition to his lecture tour, he continues to dominate the internet with controversial and intellectual videos, and presentations, that enlighten and motivate revolutionary thought worldwide. He is currently the Undisputed Debate Champion across the web and on stages worldwide.