Garrison Frazier

Garrison Frazier was an enslaved man in South Carolina during the Civil War who became a spokesman for formerly enslaved people seeking guidance on their future. In 1865, he spoke to Union officials, expressing that Black people wanted land and the opportunity to work it themselves, rather than just compensation. His advice emphasized the importance of land ownership and education for true freedom and independence. Frazier's insights influenced the discussions about post-war Reconstruction and the significance of land redistribution for rebuilding Southern Black communities.