He Was Almost The First Black Man In Congress

John Menard was always about his people. He was educated at an abolitionist school as a child, carrying this energy for a lifetime. 

He knew how sneaky white supremacy is, but he didn’t see THIS coming.

Menard was living, working, and building a community in New Orleans, so when the sitting congressmen died in office, he knew he had to make a move. 

It was the reconstruction era, and Black folks were moving on up, and so was Menard, until THEY stepped in.

64% voted for Menard to take the reigns and represent the city in Congress. He’d beaten his opponent, Caleb Hunt, by a landslide, but he couldn’t stand the thought of losing to a Black man.

Menard fought tooth and nail on the House floor for the place he rightfully earned. Hunt testified with no evidence, just white supremacy and bad vibes. And still, they refused Menard the seat. 

But Menard didn’t let white bigotry stop him from doing his life’s work.

Being elected to Congress would’ve been a bigger “platform,” but Menard was already doing the work. He organized tirelessly for liberation for the rest of his life because he knew, like we all must: only we can determine our futures.

White supremacy can never dictate how we move for the betterment of our people!