Liberia: America's Footprint in Africa
Making the Cultural, Social, and Political Connections
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For the past three years, I have done an extensive research on the topic; interviewing both Liberian and American scholars with demonstrated knowledge on U.S./Liberia’s relations, historians, educators, reading the writings of other authors. As an educator and a policy analyst, I have been studying the topic since my days in graduate school at Howard University. But in the last three years, when I decided to write this book, my research on the topic became increasingly intensified. In preparation for my writing, I did several presentations to educator, professionals, and community leaders in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota. My studies were primarily focused on the historical connections between the United States and Liberia. Part of my studies dealt with the establishment of the American Colonization Society; its role in the repatriation of free American blacks to Africa. My studies also dealt with the root causes of the issues that led to the Haitian Revolution, major players in decisions that resulted in the creation of African colony, their original intentions for such initiative, and United States policies towards Liberia and Africa in general. To my primary audience, especially my American audience whom for the most part, have little or no knowledge of the cultural, social, and political connections between the United States and Liberia; the hope is that you will benefit from reading this book by becoming more aware and informed.
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About the Book
The history of Liberia and the United States are closely tied together, but few people have taken the necessary steps to understand the complicated relationship between the two countries.
Liberia: America’s Footprint in Africa traces the history of an African nation whose fate is closely tied to an uprising of slaves that began on the island that is now Haiti.
The violence there caused people in the United States to wonder about the future of slavery and blacks in their own nation.
In this detailed history written by a Liberian educator, you’ll discover:
- how the American Colonization Society played a critical role in the creation of Liberia;
- how courageous blacks living in the United States persevered in seeking freedom;
- how Liberia is culturally, socially, and politically connected to the United States.
Discover the rich history of two nations and why Liberia remains relevant today. Enriched with interviews of scholars, Liberian community elders and detailed research, Liberia: America’s Footprint in Africa is a step-by-step account of an overlooked country.
About the Author
Jesse Mongrue is an educator and a historian on US/Liberia’s relations. Jesse and his wife along with their four children live in the City of Vadnais Heights, a suburb of Saint Paul, Minnesota. He holds a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Jesse is also a Howard trained Policy Analyst, who has done a number of scholarly works in public policy for several agencies including the US Department of Labor, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Maryland, and the Government of the District of Columbia. The author is an avid reader of US/Liberia’s relations with emphasis on the Cultural, Social and Political connections. Jesse Mongrue is a recipient of several distinguished public service and professional development awards from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Wilder Foundation, City of Dallas, and dozens of other agencies. He was recognized for outstanding leadership in the Liberian community in Minnesota in 2009. The author is a member of several professional organizations including the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and the Board of Directors of Northwest Hennepin Family Services Collaborative Governance Commission in Minnesota.