Raise Your Head Up: The Forgotten Freedom Colonies of Texas | Episode 1

After the Civil War, thousands of formerly enslaved African Americans sought true autonomy by building their own self-sustaining communities deep in the South, far from the reach of the Jim Crow establishment. These were America's Freedom Colonies. In Part 1 of the 5-part docuseries "Raise Your Head Up", we explore the roots of County Line & Bevilport-Dixie—unincorporated freedom colonies hidden in the Pineywoods of East Texas. Through the incredible 25-year photo archive of documentary photographer Richard Orton and the firsthand accounts of the families who still call it home, this film uncovers the forgotten history of emancipated people who forged a community out of nothing but their own talent, energy, and determination. Whatever you do, do it with dignity. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & The Central Question 03:24 Photographs: Finding County Line 11:31 The Forgotten History of Freedom Colonies 14:10 A Difficult Freedom 19:12 Origins of Freedmen Towns 23:16 Bevilport-Dixie Freedom Colony 27:42 The Art of Hog Killing 33:51 Albert McCray's Legacy & Passing Down Trades Subscribe to catch Part 2 and the rest of the docuseries. If you learned something new, please like and share this video to help keep the legacy of Freedom Colonies alive. Credits: Directed by Peyton Paulette & Richard Orton. Shot and Edited by Peyton Paulette.