“Your progress is guaranteed insofar as you start out with, and continue to maintain, a clear view of the obstacles.” - Arnold Kunst

From “Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst

May 17

Blacks in colonial America were far more influential than is commonly supposed. According to Lincoln, in five of the original thirteen states – Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina - free Negroes had the right to vote. They undoubtedly played a part in the ratification of the Constitution and certainly were included in the preamble “we the people.”