Rep. Jim Clyburn releases book chronicling black congressman’s legacy ‘The First Eight’

The representative from South Carolina is perhaps one of the most notable black male members of Congress in and outside his state. However, he does not forget who paved the way for his political position, nor does he want the public to do so.

According to NPReight men served inside American politics versus contemporary leaders like Clyburn. Their appointments during and after the reconstruction period faced backlash and other obstacles. However, their steadfast resilience ensured that the current Congress had comparable and crucial representation.

These details of the black political leaders of generations before are highlighted in Clyburn’s latest book, “The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation.” The book, released on November 11, prominently chronicles the legacies of these men, especially Robert Smalls.

Smalls smuggled his family aboard a Confederate transport and steered the ship to their freedom among Union forces. His stewardship and courage made him the first African-American captain in the U.S. Navy.”

Representative Jim Clyburn has released a new book that focuses on the history of black members of Congress who paved the way for today’s leaders.

The South Carolina representative is perhaps one of the most notable black male members of Congress in and outside his state. However, he does not forget who paved the way for his political position, nor does he want the public to do so.

According to NPReight men served inside American politics in the face of contemporary leaders like Clyburn. Their appointments during and after the reconstruction period faced backlash and other obstacles. However, their steadfast resilience ensured that the current Congress had comparable and crucial representation.

These details of the black political leaders of generations before are highlighted in Clyburn’s latest book, “The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation.” The book, released on November 11, prominently chronicles the legacies of these men, especially Robert Smalls.

Smalls smuggled his family onto a Confederate transport and steered the ship to their freedom among Union forces. His stewardship and courage made him the first African-American captain in the U.S. Navy.”

Another leader, George Washington Murray, became the only black representative in Congress in the late 1800s. However, his handling of voter fraud and redistricting to disenfranchise black voters were eerily similar to the current political situation. In researching his convention trip, Clyburn felt it was crucial to remind readers of this history. Moreover, he wants these stories to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

“When I saw what happened after the 2020 election, someone had taken the playbook of the 1876 election,” he said. “The book was only supposed to be to inform people about these guys, but then it got to the point where it was, ‘No, it has to be more educational than informant,’ and so I almost started the book again.”

Clyburn hopes the novel not only informs this forgotten black history, but also serves as a call to action against figures who oppose equality and justice. Clyburn emphasized the need to commemorate the lives of these “First Eight,” as their fate could remedy the struggles we witness today.

“Anything that has happened before can happen again,” he said. “And so you can’t allow this president [Trump]with this majority in Congress, to make sure you respond to their foolishness because that is what has happened before and it will happen again if you are not careful.”

The “First Eight” is available now for purchase at multiple retailers.

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