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SUGAR: IT'S A CHEMICAL COMPOUND
The general formula for disaccharides, C12H22011, arises from the combination of two monosaccharide units through a dehydration reaction, which results in the loss of a water molecule.
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Scientifically, African Americans (who were leased to plantation owners as convicts) chemically changed sugar cane through a chemical reaction.
Technology was used by African Americans, who performed as chemical technicians, chemists, and chemical operators to boil, squeeze, crush, roll and dry the sugar cane to produce the highest quality end product.
Engineering involves the production and manufacturing of products through chemical processes. African Americans built the mule-powered mills that were used to grind sugar cane and squeeze the sweet juice from the cane stalks to make syrup.
Math originated in Africa.
Ancient Egyptians created the earliest numeric system on record, and they were also the first civilization to create and solve arithmetic equations and chemical experiments.
In his memoir, “Twelve Years a Slave,” author and sugar cane and cotton plantation worker Samuel Northup stated that enslaved sugar cane workers were pushed around the clock.
“On cane plantations in sugar time, there is no distinction as to the days of the week,” Northup wrote. Fatigue might mean losing an arm to the grinding rollers or being flayed for failing to keep up. Resistance was often met with sadistic cruelty.
Cane sugar has been the sweetener of choice for more than 2,000 years. It is used in all types of foods due to its versatility. It enhances flavor, aroma, texture and browning.
Educate. Honor. Heal. The Society of Justice & Equality for the People of Sugar Land (S.O.J.E.S.) is an independent, non-profit community organization dedicated to historic preservation and educating the community about the contributions of African Americans in the creation and progression of Sugar Land and Fort Bend County, Texas. This includes commemorating and memorializing the Sugar Land 95. sojesjustice.org
