What does the term "John Brown" mean? He was an abolitionist, but most black people reference him negatively

Question

I just want to know the cultural reason why black people often used the term "John Brown" when referencing whites.

Answer 1

He was a white abolitionist who was the first to advocate violence as a means to end slavery. He ended up murdering five pro-slavery Southerners and is famous for his raid on the Federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. His intent was to go around the Virginia countryside, handing out arms to all the slaves and free them. Instead, he was caught, tried and convicted for treason, then hanged. This event was a significant factor in the lead up to the Civil war.

I don't know how he is viewed by modern black people, but Frederick Douglass said:

"Did John Brown fail? John Brown began the war that ended American slavery and made this a free Republic. His zeal in the cause of freedom was infinitely superior to mine. Mine was as the taper light; his was as the burning sun. I could live for the slave; John Brown could die for him."

Answer 2

ahh don't worry about them sleep their just the drama queens of the bunch. personally i don't think there's anything to get over, it's done nothing anyone can do will ever change it, grizz and the gang call me a self-hating white but almost 9 times out of 10 it's someone white who brings up slavery almost as if guilty you might say, like they're trying to convince themselves of something. i for one have never actually heard anyone black mention slavery that wasn't about some kind of school project on the subject, i've heard it here but only from some generic cartoon head who as we all know can be any colour. heh i have enough of my own sins to pay for i'm not gonna start borrowing others, as i've said a thousand times before, the dead will always stay dead, the only service they can offer now is by giving us example of what to and not to do. memory should be a guide not a club. the only reason anyone would say "get over it" is if they themselves have something to fear about the subject

Answer 3

I've noticed that also. Maybe people just don't realize who John Brown was.