Minority groups have proud history supporting freedom

The first person to die for our freedom and independence from England was a person of mixed race, Crispus Attucks, part American Indian and part African American. Black freemen also fought for our freedom Concord, Lexington and Bunker Hill.

At Bunker Hill a former slave, Salem Poor, was commended by Congress for his heroism and bravery. He is one of the first heroes of our country. Also, there were about 4,000 black soldiers in he Revolutionary Army, some of whom were former slaves promised their freedom if they fought for our freedom and independence. This promise of freedom was not kept and many former slaves were sent back to their masters.

In the Spanish army of General Galvez, there were about 300 Mexican recruits, some Puerto Ricans some American Indians and Cubans, winning our freedom as in Natchez, and Pensacola. It was the Cuban ladies of Havana who raised about 1 million pounds to save Washington's army from collapse because our soldiers had no food, no shoes and were in rags by pawning their diamonds and jewelry, stating that "the sons of American mothers will not be British" slaves.

Although for profit the mostly Jewish merchants of the Dutch Indies were the main source for American weapons. Also, unsung heroes such as millionaires Haym Solomon, a Polish Jew and Irish Catholic Oliver Pollock went bankrupt supporting American freedom and independence. Also, a number of Indian tribes fought for our freedom as well. For the

Battle at Yorktown, where we won our independence, the people of Puerto Rico and Haiti raised some of the needed funds, but again it was the Cubans who bankrolled our victory.

Many minority groups who have often been discriminated against, have earned their equal rights in America.

Stewart E Brekke, Ph.D.

Downers Grove