Why Didn’t We Learn About Robert Smalls in School? Reconstruction and Erased Black History

Why didnt most Americans learn about Robert Smalls in school?

Robert Smalls was formerly enslaved, stole a Confederate ship during the Civil War, freed his family and crew, and later became a United States Congressman during Reconstruction. And yet, his story is rarely taught in classrooms.

In this explainer, journalist and storyteller Esther Dillard explores why Robert Smalls legacy was left out of history education, how Reconstruction was reframed as a failure, and how the erasure of Black political leadership still shapes how we understand citizenship, democracy, and power today.

This episode connects to the animated documentary ERASED The Robert Smalls Story and invites listeners to reflect on what else we may have been taught to forget.

Watch the full documentary on YouTube. 

https://youtu.be/-MWiO_FA_I0?si=F-4gvT1pnaymCSa4

Read the full essay and historical context at EstherDillard.com

https://estherdillard.com/why-dont-we-learn-about-robert-smalls-in-school/