To live an extraordinary life is something to strive for. And when that life is an African-American one, lived well, filled with good deeds, integrity, compassion, and caring for others. Quite frankly, that should be with honored. These are the tenants that were essential parts of the unique American life lived by a slave-era African-American man by the name of Paul Cuffee. And this article represents an attempt to honor him and his legacy.

Cuffee was by all accounts not supposed to be able to accomplish what he eventually was able to accomplish. Not supposed to be able to achieve what he was in fact able to achieve. And given all the bias, prejudice and out and out racism staked up against him, the odds of his success were most definitely not in his favor.

Early Family Life

Cuffee was born a free man to a father who was captured and sold as a slave and brought to the British colony of Massachusetts, and to a mother of Native American ancestry. His father (Kofi "Cuffee" Slocum), a slave of Ashanti origin from Ghana in Africa, became a skilled carpenter and his mother (Ruth Moses) a member of the Wampanoag Nation.

In mastering the carpentry trade, Kofi Slocum worked extremely long hours on many difficult jobs in order to eventually buy his own freedom, buy a farm, and provide for his wife and 11 children. These by themselves are monumental tasks for any man to accomplish.

But now add the social, political and cultural difficulties of the time for African-Americans and Native Americas alike and the enormity of success Cuffee's parents were able to have in colonial America is noteworthy.

A Strong Religious Foundation Paramount

In assessing the sum of parts of Paul Cuffee's life, in addition to having the advantage of being born free and coming from a family of means, Cuffee also enjoyed a rigorous and full religious experience growing up which continued for him as an adult. Until his untimely death Kofi Slocum would have Quaker religious meetings in his home with Mr. Slocum presiding over the service and preaching as well.

• Short Length Wedding Dresses

• Paul Walker Address

• Hide Email Address On Web Page

• Opening Night Dress

  Opening Night! | Facebook ... Sign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.

• Tiffenys Prom Dresses

  Shop PromGirl for 2011 Tiffany prom dresses, ball gowns and dresses for 2011 prom.