Edward J. Perkins was a diplomat who became the first Black U.S. ambassador to South Africa.A veteran of the U.S.
Army and U.S. Marine Corps, Perkins began his diplomatic career as the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, appointed in 1985. The following year, Perkins was appointed U.S.
Ambassador to South Africa. It was a challenging post, made when apartheid was still the law in South Africa. Despite the disrespect Perkins received from South Africa’s leaders, he worked to maintain a peaceful relationship between the countries and even played a role in the dismantling of apartheid.
He met with both Black and white South Africans, sometimes arranging to bring them together at his receptions despite the country’s official segregation policy.
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