Common Black History Myths Debunked

A look at common lore about Black heritage.

Was the First President Black? - Black history is rich and inspiring, but like all histories, there are myths that have found their way into the narrative. BET.com reveals the truth about some of the most common lore passed down in Black history.  —Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_) No. John Hanson, pictured above, is an African-American who worked with the American Colonization Society during the "Back to Africa" movement in the early 1800s. But he is often confused with another John Hanson, a white man, who was the first president of the Continental Congress, before we had the government known as the United States of America. The USA elected George Washington as the first president, after the Constitution was ratified in 1789.   (Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

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Was the First President Black? - Black history is rich and inspiring, but like all histories, there are myths that have found their way into the narrative. BET.com reveals the truth about some of the most common lore passed down in Black history.  —Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_) No. John Hanson, pictured above, is an African-American who worked with the American Colonization Society during the "Back to Africa" movement in the early 1800s. But he is often confused with another John Hanson, a white man, who was the first president of the Continental Congress, before we had the government known as the United States of America. The USA elected George Washington as the first president, after the Constitution was ratified in 1789.   (Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

The Willie Lynch Letter - The infamous "Willie Lynch Letter" of 1712 was said to have been delivered by a slave owner and outlined how to dehumanize Black people and keep them divided. The faux document has circulated over the years and is referenced by some African-Americans as the root cause of the marginalization of Black people. Professor Jelani Cobb broke down why the letter is "absolutely fake," in a 2004 article published by Ferris State University. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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The Willie Lynch Letter - The infamous "Willie Lynch Letter" of 1712 was said to have been delivered by a slave owner and outlined how to dehumanize Black people and keep them divided. The faux document has circulated over the years and is referenced by some African-Americans as the root cause of the marginalization of Black people. Professor Jelani Cobb broke down why the letter is "absolutely fake," in a 2004 article published by Ferris State University. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

'My Family Is Part Indian' - Although it is well-documented that Native Americans and Africans did marry and have children, the average African-American probably has more white ancestry than Native, according to 23andMe's database. The average Black American had 73 percent African ancestry and 24 percent European ancestry. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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'My Family Is Part Indian' - Although it is well-documented that Native Americans and Africans did marry and have children, the average African-American probably has more white ancestry than Native, according to 23andMe's database. The average Black American had 73 percent African ancestry and 24 percent European ancestry. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Were Slaves Happy to Serve Their Masters? - Minstrel shows, which were popular entertainment for middle-class whites during the 1830s through the 1950s, featured white actors dressed in blackface depicting one-dimensional characters such as "Sambo" and "Jim Crow." They were portrayed as cheerful, dancing and laughing slaves. Real slave narratives that spoke of the pain of losing loved ones, mistreatment and the longing for freedom were not popularized until modern times. Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup, and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave are just two of many published.  (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Were Slaves Happy to Serve Their Masters? - Minstrel shows, which were popular entertainment for middle-class whites during the 1830s through the 1950s, featured white actors dressed in blackface depicting one-dimensional characters such as "Sambo" and "Jim Crow." They were portrayed as cheerful, dancing and laughing slaves. Real slave narratives that spoke of the pain of losing loved ones, mistreatment and the longing for freedom were not popularized until modern times. Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup, and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave are just two of many published.  (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Freedom Quilts Possessed Codes That Helped Slaves - The Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists and former slaves, helped free thousands of slaves during the 1700s and mid-1800s. Patchwork quilts were said to carry secret codes that helped direct Africans' steps along their way to freedom, in the book Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad in 1998. Historians such as Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. say slaves more than likely used the quilts to "protest themselves from the cold, and not to send messages," in a PBS article. (Photo: Andy Cross, the Denver Post/Getty Images)

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Freedom Quilts Possessed Codes That Helped Slaves - The Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists and former slaves, helped free thousands of slaves during the 1700s and mid-1800s. Patchwork quilts were said to carry secret codes that helped direct Africans' steps along their way to freedom, in the book Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad in 1998. Historians such as Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. say slaves more than likely used the quilts to "protest themselves from the cold, and not to send messages," in a PBS article. (Photo: Andy Cross, the Denver Post/Getty Images)

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Black Friday Originated During Slavery - Singer Jill Scott caught flack during Thanksgiving 2014 for tweeting a meme that stated Black Friday was first held during the era of slavery and that slaves were offered for a discount the day after Thanksgiving. The post sparked the trending topic #HotepTwitter, which made fun of pseudo Black historians who spread false information.   (Photo: Rischgitz/Getty Images)

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Black Friday Originated During Slavery - Singer Jill Scott caught flack during Thanksgiving 2014 for tweeting a meme that stated Black Friday was first held during the era of slavery and that slaves were offered for a discount the day after Thanksgiving. The post sparked the trending topic #HotepTwitter, which made fun of pseudo Black historians who spread false information.   (Photo: Rischgitz/Getty Images)

Abraham Lincoln Freed the Slaves? - President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. This moment did not end slavery completely throughout the states. Slavery was not deemed unconstitutional until Dec. 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified.  (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Abraham Lincoln Freed the Slaves? - President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. This moment did not end slavery completely throughout the states. Slavery was not deemed unconstitutional until Dec. 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified.  (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Slavery Disconnected Blacks From African Culture - Although traditional African culture was stripped from slaves who were taught that their customs were inferior, some influences survived with slaves and evolved over time in America with their descendants. African-American English, sometimes referred to as "Ebonics," Black music and dance, food and other aspects of culture all have roots that descend from Africa. African-American culture has now gone on to influence the world.   (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Slavery Disconnected Blacks From African Culture - Although traditional African culture was stripped from slaves who were taught that their customs were inferior, some influences survived with slaves and evolved over time in America with their descendants. African-American English, sometimes referred to as "Ebonics," Black music and dance, food and other aspects of culture all have roots that descend from Africa. African-American culture has now gone on to influence the world.   (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)