Jeremiah Robinson knew there wasn’t time to pack – a violent white mob was on its way! Racists were storming New York City in protest of being drafted to fight in the Civil War. Their protest? Killing every Black man they saw!
Robinson had a disguise, but it was risky.
Robinson’s wife gave him some clothes, hoping the mob might spare “two women.” Keeping their heads down, they ran through Manhattan’s back streets toward a ferry that would take them to Brooklyn.
Turning a corner, they froze. They were face to face with rioters.
Even in a long dress and cloak, the mob identified Robinson as a man. Kissing his wife’s hand, Robinson told her to run, putting himself between her and the mob!
She escaped just as the men grabbed Robinson. They tore the clothes from his body, beat him, and tortured him before throwing his corpse into a river.
Robinson's wife escaped to Brooklyn, where she lived for the remainder of her life.
While his murder was both tragic and violent, we can remember that Robinson’s final acts were brave.
It’s still nearly impossible to escape white supremacy because it is so ingrained into our society, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try!
Robinson’s example reminds us to get creative, exercise all of our options, and be brave in defense of our loved ones.