All articles tagged with #slavery
Carrie Gibson's book 'The Great Resistance' explores the 400-year fight to end slavery in the Americas, highlighting lesser-known stories of enslaved people's resistance, the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade, and the lasting legacies of slavery in society today.
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed bills that would have provided direct benefits to descendants of slavery, such as college admissions preferences and property restitution, despite creating a state agency to identify eligible individuals, signaling a slowdown in the state's reparations movement amid public opposition and fiscal concerns.
The historic photograph 'Scourged Back,' depicting the scars of slavery, has become a focal point in the debate over how American history, especially slavery, should be presented in museums amid political efforts to alter or remove such content, raising concerns about censorship and historical accuracy.
The Trump administration has ordered several National Park Service sites to remove or cover materials related to slavery and Native American history, including a powerful Civil War-era photograph, as part of an effort to promote a more positive view of American history.
The Trump administration is ordering the removal of information about slavery, including a photo of an enslaved man's scars, from multiple national parks to eliminate what they describe as 'corrosive ideology.'
President Trump ordered the removal of a historic photograph known as 'The Scourged Back' from certain national parks, citing concerns over 'corrosive ideology' and the portrayal of negative aspects of U.S. history, including slavery, in museum exhibits.
President Trump criticized the Smithsonian for focusing too much on slavery, threatening legal action, which scholars argue is an attempt to sanitize history. The institution is already under review by the White House.
President Trump announced a review of Smithsonian museums, criticizing their focus on America's dark history like slavery and emphasizing a desire to highlight success and brightness in the country's story, amid concerns over perceived ideological bias.
Isabel Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of Juneteenth as a pivotal day that marks the end of slavery in the U.S., highlighting its foundational role in shaping the country's social, political, and economic structures, and advocating for its recognition as a vital part of American history and identity.
A new book, 'Ricardo’s Dream,' reveals that Sir Isaac Newton, renowned for his scientific contributions, had significant financial ties to the transatlantic slave trade during his tenure as master of the mint at the Bank of England. The book claims Newton benefited from gold mined by enslaved Africans in Brazil, which was turned into currency at the bank, significantly contributing to his wealth. This connection highlights the broader involvement of early 18th-century British finance with slavery, though it does not diminish Newton's scientific legacy.
A proposed Texas curriculum for elementary students has sparked controversy for allegedly glossing over the history of slavery and racism in the U.S. Critics argue that the curriculum omits significant historical context, such as the role of enslaved people in building Monticello and the complexities of figures like Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee. The curriculum has also faced criticism for its heavy use of biblical teachings, which some say could marginalize non-Christian students. Despite minor revisions, the Texas Education Agency defends the curriculum as age-appropriate, while public education advocates continue to call for its rejection.
Brazilian Instagram influencer Kat Torres has been sentenced to eight years in prison for human trafficking and slavery, involving the exploitation of young women she lured with promises of wellness and success. Torres, who once mingled with Hollywood elites, manipulated her followers into sexual exploitation and forced labor. The FBI and Brazilian authorities are investigating further allegations, with over 20 women reporting similar abuses. Torres maintains her innocence and has appealed her conviction.
A Massachusetts teacher has been placed on leave for conducting a mock slave auction and using a racial slur in a fifth-grade classroom, sparking concerns about how slavery is taught in U.S. schools. The incidents, which occurred at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School, have led to an investigation and calls for reforms in teaching methods to ensure cultural competence and sensitivity.
In Charleston, S.C., a project to collect DNA from Black residents has evolved into a search for living descendants of 36 enslaved people whose bones were discovered by a construction crew. Despite initial skepticism due to historical exploitation, participants like Edward Lee have been swabbed for DNA, hoping to uncover clues about their ancestry and history. The project aims to provide Black residents with new insights into their heritage and connections to the region's history of slavery.
Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, are urging the Maryland state government to rename the Francis Scott Key Bridge due to its namesake's ties to slavery. They propose renaming it after Rep. Parren J. Mitchell, the first Black Marylander elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The groups also recommend renaming the Sen. Frederick Malkus Memorial Bridge after Gloria Richardson, a prominent civil rights leader. The bridge, which collapsed last month, is under discussion for rebuilding, and the caucus plans to share its recommendations with the governor.