East New York resident Miguel Dominguez
plays the role of Titus in the new PBS series, "Slavery
and the Making of America," which premieres on Sunday. The
series, narrated by Morgan Freeman, chronicles the institution
of American slavery from its origins in 1619 through Reconstruction
using interviews with scholars as well as performances by actors
who bring to life the heroes who resisted their shackles.
Among these historical rebels is Titus, a New Jersey slave bound
to Quaker John Corlies, in the 1760s. (His exploits are recounted
in the series’ second hour, "Liberty in the Air.")
While other Quakers taught their slaves to read and write and
gave them their freedom at age 21, Corlies refused Titus both.
So Titus joined up with the British troops after Lord Dunmore,
the royal governor of Viriginia, promised freedom to blacks who
enlisted.
After he rose to the rank of Colonel, Titus rode into New Jersey
as the leader of a band of guerilla raiders who conducted operations
for the British, attacked and plundered the homes of their former
masters and liberated their friends and family.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Dominguez, 19, was raised in
East New York, where he learned to ride horses as a member of
the Federation of Black Cowboys. It was out of those East New
York stables that he learned to ride a horse with as much assurance
and pride as the real Col. Tye, who was killed in battle at age
26.
"My neighborhood was really bad," Dominguez told GO
Brooklyn. "Having the stables was heaven on Earth."
Dominguez said acting in the series was a great experience, although
he was initially intimidated by the prospect of improvising much
of the role.
"You learn so much," said Dominguez. "You learn
about that [character]. After it was finished, I saw things from
a different perspective."
"Slavery and the Making of America" will premier on
PBS Feb. 9 and 16, from 9 to 11 pm.
