JOCKO_the_first_american_child

AUTHOR: Waymon LeFall

Baltimore barber turned author Waymon LeFall brings what he calls a missing piece of African American history to light in his children's book,

The Legend of Jocko, Hero of the American Revolution. His book shares the little known, inspirational story of a 12-year-old, African American boy named Jocko who sacrificed his life for our country.

According to LeFall, young Jocko's moment of sacrifice, came just when George Washington faced defeat during the Revolutionary war, and headed across the Delaware River to Trenton, New Jersey to attack the British. As legend goes, Jocko, who had crossed the Delaware earlier along with volunteer troops, offered to guard Washington's horses so that they would be there waiting for him. LeFall writes that upon Washington's return to Mt. Vernon, he ordered a sculpture to be erected of the young boy, "stepping bravely forward to hold the horses, as if saying, "I will".

LeFall explains that replicas of that first statue also served a second purpose years later during the Civil War. He says the symbol of Jocko was used in the Underground Railroad to show slaves the way to safety. LeFall grew up seeing the same image used in the form of a lawn sculpture. Only, he explains that sadly, the symbol came to be understood as a racist decoration.

"I'm just bringing Jocko to the light, where he should have been all along. Jocko is not just a missing link in African-American history, but in all of history," explains LeFall. "It is my hope someday that young boys and girls will learn about Jocko in school. My job is to get Jocko as much recognition as possible."

LeFall recognizes that there are many people who would argue his book is fiction and not based on fact. He challenges any of the non-believers out there to prove their case. Until then, LeFall will continue to believe.

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