Slavery Remembrance

[enlightenment06]

With Holocaust Remembrance events going on this week, the importance of remembering our history once again comes to the forefront. On my campus there are prominent displays of Holocaust Remembrance

This had lead me to wonder: should we have a Slavery Remembrance Day or Week, etc.? The legacy of slavery is one of the building blocks of our nation and there is no way to adquately grasp and understand United States history without it, yet not a greal is known generally about that peculiar institution. There is already a day called Juneteenth which honors the day the last slaves of African descent in the United States were freed by the Union Army, but only a small number of Americans know anything about Juneteenth (or slavery at all for that matter).
NOTE: This is not a comparison of the worst genocide ever in Western history. Holocaust Remembrance is mentioned merely a point of reference for discussion, not the crux of it.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by enlightenment06
With Holocaust Remembrance events going on this week, the importance of remembering our history once again comes to the forefront. On my campus there are prominent displays of Holocaust Remembrance

This had lead me to wonder: should we have a Slavery Remembrance Day or Week, etc.? The legacy of slavery is one of the building blocks of our nation and there is no way to adquately grasp and understand United States history without it, yet not a greal is known generally about that peculiar institution. There is already a day called Juneteenth which honors the day the last slaves of African descent in the United States were freed by the Union Army, but only a small number of Americans know anything about Juneteenth (or slavery at all for that matter).
NOTE: This is not a comparison of the worst genocide ever in Western history. Holocaust Remembrance is mentioned merely a point of reference for discussion, not the crux of it.

While I appreciate that you understand that the two events are different, I guess I just wish that you would let this discussion and even stand based on its on merits alone and not even use a "point of reference".

-Rudey

[Phasad1913]

Well, I think there is a lot of discussion about slavery as well as the positive aspects of the Black American experience during and throughout Black History Month. Are you asking that there be more observance of slavery as a period of history in America? Not that I necessarily have a problem with that, I am just trying to get clarification on what you would like to see happen.

[swissmiss04]

I'm not sure if any of you have heard much about this, but UA has decided to apologize for the fact that some of its former professors and presidents had slaves. Here's a link to an article in our campus paper. It has definitely opened a can of worms. Judge for yourself!

http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v...6?in_archive=1

[Phasad1913]

the article is fine, but those students' responses to what the kids are doing are what's REALLY interesting...and sad.

[enlightenment06]

QUOTE]Originally posted by Phasad1913
Well, I think there is a lot of discussion about slavery as well as the positive aspects of the Black American experience during and throughout Black History Month. Are you asking that there be more observance of slavery as a period of history in America? Not that I necessarily have a problem with that, I am just trying to get clarification on what you would like to see happen. [/QUOTE]

I would disagree with you. Black History Month has become sort the same dog & pony show every year. By no means would I trivialize the work and legacy of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, but is more to black history than him

The youth of our country especially need to know what has come before them. They need to know of the Denmark Vessey rebellion, or how Liberia was founded, about Dred Scott, about the genocidal mental deciamtion of a group of people. How can we possibly talk about issues today such as Affirmative Action if we don't even know what Affirmative Action is supposed to fix.

One thing people need to know about slavery is that it wasn't just a Southern practice, that Brown University was built with blood money of slaves, that Aetna Insurance corporation ensured slaves, that there were riots in New York City were mobs of poor whites lynched blacks during the Civil War.

States such as Maine, Missouri, and Kansas were forged out of the debate over slavery. The University of Alabama article and the responses are pure examples of how we as a country, of all races, have never faced our country's legacy. The strides that the University of Alambama is taking (or at least the recommendations) are highly commendable- not beacuse it's going above and beyond the call of duty, but because it's the right thing to do.

[Phasad1913]

I definitely agree with you and I recognize that Black History Month has become a watered-down, repetitive "tape-recorded" replay of the same program and messages, but I am asking what you would like to see happen? Am I to assume that by your examples that you want a week-long event full of remembrances and acknowledgements of these types of facts or what? Specifically, what are you proposing in addition to or instead of BHM?

For me, I am one who cannot stand for people to talk the talk and not walk the walk. We can have as many symbolic months or events or commemorations as there are days in a year, but if there are no tangible activities that counter what the past has left us with today, what is the point? For example, we just commemorated the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education case and I have heard so much commentary about the current blatant segregation of the nation's education system and how after 50 years there is still little to show for what was supposed to be such a landmark case. I also went to a Democratic Meetup last night where we discussed ( a little bit) this very issue and spoke about how I have really yet to hear any programmatic Democratic response to Pres. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act other than to poor more money into the education system. I just don't see anything actually happening on a national level to fix some of the problems that are staring us dead in the face.

So while, yes, I agree that our children need to know from whence we have come, I also want them to witness people actually working toward resolution of the problems and seeing results.

I hope I am clear and that you don't take this in any way as an attack on you, perhaps you can look at it as a concurrence with what you have already said plus some additional comments

[Munchkin03]

What do you suggest that companies and universities that may have benefitted from slavery (Aetna, Brown, Yale, etc) do regarding their historic connections to that "peculiar institution"?

[PM_Mama00]

The Jewish people have a day.

You have a whole month.

[swissmiss04]

here's another article. i'm definitely NOT agreeing with it, but i wanted to share.
http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v.../4088ba5cca12d

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by enlightenment06


The youth of our country especially need to know what has come before them. They need to know of the Denmark Vessey rebellion, or how Liberia was founded, about Dred Scott, about the genocidal mental deciamtion of a group of people. How can we possibly talk about issues today such as Affirmative Action if we don't even know what Affirmative Action is supposed to fix.

One thing people need to know about slavery is that it wasn't just a Southern practice, that Brown University was built with blood money of slaves, that Aetna Insurance corporation ensured slaves, that there were riots in New York City were mobs of poor whites lynched blacks during the Civil War.

States such as Maine, Missouri, and Kansas were forged out of the debate over slavery. The University of Alabama article and the responses are pure examples of how we as a country, of all races, have never faced our country's legacy. The strides that the University of Alambama is taking (or at least the recommendations) are highly commendable- not beacuse it's going above and beyond the call of duty, but because it's the right thing to do.

Well there are tons of books in the librairies on these topics..so if the children are interested...I'm sure they could check them out. I think we are past the point where we can rely on the public school system to teach our children this type of thing..yes African Americans contributed to the building of this country..and maybe black history month can be revamped to show more of our history...but beyond that..I do not think anything else is necessary...at least from the schools..

[enlightenment06]

The question I asked was in the spirit of discussion and the sharing of ideas, not because I necessarily believe that there should be a Slavery Remembrance Day.

Slavery isn't just part of Black history, and we do ourselves a disservice when we expect that portion of our nation's history to be covered during Black history month. As I said earlier, understanding the institution of slavery is so crucial to understanding the history of our country.

If there was such a day, perhaps there could be educational events at schools, libraries, etc. The day could spark interest amongst more people in the general public to learn about it.

As far as what certain companies, universities, etc. should do about their direct participation in institution is a topic for another discussion. In my mind, that goes more toward the topic of reparations.

As far as Brown v. Board of Education and its anniversary, I think that the commentary on it is great because it's bringing the issue of public and segregation back to the forefront, and it makes us look ourselves and assess our success as a nation.

[deuika]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
The Jewish people have a day.

You have a whole month.

That was asinine, unnecessary...at best.

The Holocaust is not American History, though we were involved in some ways, American's weren't the perpetrators. Therefore I understand America wanting to let the Jewish citizens know we care, for lack of a better word.

This isn't the same thing when it comes to slavery. Slavery happened all over the world and those of us who ended up on American soil will have to deal with opposition from those who think our history isn't valid. Those who fail to realize that our captivity is the reason for their over-reaching success.

But see, this is America. Ignorance is rampant. WE must educate our children on this issue. Let us not seek those who choose to ignore or simply don't understand the effects of this issue to teach them.

Black History Month doesn't do it for me personally. We have a month to discuss ALL the important contributions our people made to this country, to the world? Why can't we discuss everyone's history all year long? All people contributed. This whole "sectioning off" days of the year just bothers me period.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by deuika
That was asinine, unnecessary...at best.

The Holocaust is not American History, though we were involved in some ways, American's weren't the perpetrators. Therefore I understand America wanting to let the Jewish citizens know we care, for lack of a better word.

This isn't the same thing when it comes to slavery. Slavery happened all over the world and those of us who ended up on American soil will have to deal with opposition from those who think our history isn't valid. Those who fail to realize that our captivity is the reason for their over-reaching success.

But see, this is America. Ignorance is rampant. WE must educate our children on this issue. Let us not seek those who choose to ignore or simply don't understand the effects of this issue to teach them.

Black History Month doesn't do it for me personally. We have a month to discuss ALL the important contributions our people made to this country, to the world? Why can't we discuss everyone's history all year long? All people contributed. This whole "sectioning off" days of the year just bothers me period.

^5 deuika

[Rudey]

Have a big bowl of shut the fuck up. You are one retarded mother. You talk about your SATs above 1490, think America never landed on the moon, and pretend you're smart but have the IQ of a toaster - a cheap bank gift toaster and not a nice automated toaster either.

Now shutup and stick to commenting on black folks.

-Rudey
--Thanks.

Originally posted by deuika
That was asinine, unnecessary...at best.

The Holocaust is not American History, though we were involved in some ways, American's weren't the perpetrators. Therefore I understand America wanting to let the Jewish citizens know we care, for lack of a better word.

This isn't the same thing when it comes to slavery. Slavery happened all over the world and those of us who ended up on American soil will have to deal with opposition from those who think our history isn't valid. Those who fail to realize that our captivity is the reason for their over-reaching success.

But see, this is America. Ignorance is rampant. WE must educate our children on this issue. Let us not seek those who choose to ignore or simply don't understand the effects of this issue to teach them.

Black History Month doesn't do it for me personally. We have a month to discuss ALL the important contributions our people made to this country, to the world? Why can't we discuss everyone's history all year long? All people contributed. This whole "sectioning off" days of the year just bothers me period.