Richmond's Unhealed History

by Benjamin Campbell

In a detailed look at the history of Richmond, Benjamin Campbell examinesthe contradictions and crises that have formed the city over more than fourcenturies. Campbell argues that the community of metropolitan Richmond is engaged in a decisive spiritual battle in the coming decade. He believes the city, more than any in the nation, has the potential for an unprecedented and historic achievement. Its citizens can redeem and fulfill the ideals of their ancestors, proving to the world that race and class can be conquered by the deliberate and prayerful intention of honest and dedicated citizens.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, American History

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book fascinating and learned so much about the history of Richmond and how racism has influenced so much of what is going on around us now. Every richmonder should read this - buying it as a reference book immediately.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, non-academic read about the history of Richmond, with a lot of good Virginia history also. It covers the racial issues that have been a large part of the Commonwealth's history.

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been four stars, but some typographical errors downgraded it to three.

I actually met the author (and was inspired to get the book) seven years ago at Heathrow Airport waiting for a plane back to Washington. He's a minister who has worked with a leadership program at the current iteration of my high school. We had a quick talk about Richmond and agreed that much of its history was holding it back, keeping it from being another Atlanta or Charlotte.

He knows Richmond's history, and gets straight to the heart of the matter of what keeps Richmond from being great.

It took me seven years to finally open the book, but I finished it in less than a week. It was very inspiring and I wish I had read it sooner.

[Perry Ervin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened upon this book in the Virginia Historical Society gift shop. It just so happened that Charlottesville had occurred two weeks prior and, as well, I had just finished Whit Sutton's historical fiction "The Unmaking of a Man." The timing here was perfect for getting my attention, so it seems.

As much as I enjoyed living at Monument and Boulevard in the mid-80s, I always had a feeling that something about Richmond was uneasy in spirit; it was a "something" one could see as well as sense. Campbell's work helped put a framework, a perspective collection in place from which one could easily understand and, thus, feel the tensions in a logical way that would lead to compassion - for all sides involved. Yet, compassion does not reach condoning.

I was born and raised in the North Carolina of 1964. That said, later in life I realized that I was not a Southerner in the capitalized sense of the word defined by those claiming to be so. The Gospel I had been taught as a child did not line up with my experience of my community, especially while in high school in the early 80s. For these reasons and perhaps others that have not yet come to my attention, I found Campbell's argument convincing, even when at times painful with which to be confronted.

In conclusion, this is not a work that leads to catharsis; it is an appeal, a call to action based on facts of the past and present. It starts with the 'heart', one attuned to a willingness to think and to do something other than what has been the 400 year modus operandi of a culture. As Alice Peacock - a minister's daughter, if I remember correctly - once sang, "I'll Start with Me." It is an uncomfortable and courageous step indeed for all sides.

Thank you, Rev. Campbell, for the wisdom that can lead to restoration.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Combined with reading "The SpyMistress" And "Brotherhood"I now have a grasp of the history that has made this city what it is today. One of strength, creativity, cruelty, intelligence, secretive lies, beauty, determination and steadfast charm. All great cities carry these traits to one extent to another but Richmond is one of the USA s greats. we, who come from other regions are not aware of her because she imploded herself but time is healing and now she can begin to evolve. Excellent book, in depth research ..read it.

[Diane Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book very skeptical because the author had a clear agenda. However, I ended up really learning from it. His historical sources are excellent, and while he does use them to prove his point, he also shows all sides of each issue that he tackles. All the issues that he brings up lead to more questions, which made this, for me, and excellent history book! I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all who love American History, or for those who want to learn more about our Virginia history!

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author examines the history of Richmond, Virginia from it's beginnings to about 2010. He believes that the city can be a Great city if the political and religious leaders organize and develop plans to make Richmond a Great City. The author pulls no punches on documenting the racism of the English settlers, including John Smith, and the racism of leaders during the "Massive Resistance" to school integration. I really enjoyed this tell it like it is history of this city. Being a Virginian currently residing in Hanover County, I was intrigued by this book and enjoyed reading about the diverse history of this area. Highly recommend this book.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me understand more broadly why the Richmond Metropolitan region is designed the way it is. Campbell frames the history of the region as a spiritual struggle for common morality and justice; I did not grow up with religion, so reading the epilogue did force me to examine my biases. The author does not allude much to his faith until the epilogue, which ends up elucidating the reason he wrote the book. What precedes the last section is a concise recounting of racial and class struggle from the founding of country, to the decimation of Indigenous communities, to the prominence of slave economies, to Reconstruction and Jim Crow, to the frantic resistance of white supremacists against the possibility of Black political leadership in the city of Richmond. Campbell specifically writes about educational inequity and structural state funding inequitites in the context of 20th century Richmond.

[Matt Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to be able to rate this book more highly. Campbell writes about such an important topic and I learned a lot. It is both eye opening and heart-breaking to learn about Richmond’s history (which is sadly not unique in the US). The author and his editors would have done a great service by insisting on a more careful argument (all too often he attributes motive without any evidence), and to cite with greater rigor the research that went into the book.

That said, a worthwhile book to read, with important lessons to take seriously.

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an eye opener. This book explains a lot of history that folks conveniently have forgotten and explains a lot of headlines and stories I have seen in living in Richmond all these years. The book ends in 2011 or so, and I am hopeful that the progress seen since then, due in large part to the return of young people to the city itself and lots of neighborhood initiatives, will continue. We are just now beginning to get past 400 years of misguided (kind word) decisions.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has taken me a couple of months to read (not because it's boring, quite the contrary. It is packed with information that is hard to read sometimes and I had to take a break.) this very important book on the history of Richmond and its treatment of black people and native Americans from slavery to the 21st century. It is a history that everyone in Richmond should read and should be incorporated into public school curriculum.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually award 5 stars...but this insightful history into how racism has shaped and continues to shape Virginia's capital city was absolutely startling, mind-boggling, unfathomable, you name it.
The author has obviously done his homework, as evidenced by his notes. I am sure to add notes to this when our study group meets for discussion in May.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would recommend to everyone living in metro Richmond - and even in the state of Virginia - to help contextualize our long and painful history. But more importantly, to help Richmonders recognize how fragile our progress is and how much further we have to go.

[Mark Mershon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richmond’s Unhealed History should be required reading for anyone moving to the Richmond metro area. As a new arrival from the northeast, I found the historical context it provided vital to understanding today’s Richmond.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a must read for anyone who lives in Richmond. I was born and raised in Richmond, VA and I didn’t know most of what was in this book. There is so much more to our history than we learned in school, systemic things that still plague our schools and neighborhoods in 2023.

[Becky Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a resident of the City of Richmond or any surrounding county, you need to read this book. Very important.

[Odette · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you life in Richmond, this is required reading.

[Leah Dillenback tweel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't call a book history if you don't document/cite your findings.

[Brooke Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very important history of some of the social and economic factors that contribute to racial disparities in RVA.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the impediments to Richmond's growth as a just and flourishing city.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

[Jordan Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend's wife got this for me, I bought them a Blood Orange record and they returned the favor with this book. They live in Richmond so this book was a very fitting gift. At first I thought this would be a little basic but it's complete historical account of Richmond and its' surrounding area, from the 1600s until present day. It's extremely detailed and well written and I learned a lot about Richmond and the role it played in shaping modern America.
#forMarkita

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could also be titled, "Richmond's Unknown History," for it is a history of culture, not of famous people, wars, and dates. Meticulously documented with 364 end notes, Rev. Campbell traces the cultural relationships in the Richmond area from the Renaissance to the present. He describes how "The Doctrine of Discovery" set the tone for vanquishing of the Powhatan nation, and gives detail as to its estimated population, trade routes, and civilization. Onward to the seventeenth century, where white servitude was the experience of most of the people of the Virginia colony. Then to Bacon's rebellion, and it's impact resulting in "Christian over savage" being transformed into "white over colored." Then the proliferation and profit from the enslavement of Africans, the pre-war and post-war lifestyles of Richmonders, the Jim Crow era, the Byrd machine, massive resistance against desegregation, black majority rule in Richmond, and political separation of the independent city from the surrounding counties.

Finally, Dr. Campbell describes how issues of race still influence the community, and argues that a cooperative dialog and spiritual renewal would bring about healing and true prosperity.

[Emily Onufer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an extensive overview of the history of Richmond as the river city in a fun and interesting way. Topics covered include: Jamestown, the Powhatan War, the mystery of Pocahontas, Bacon’s Rebellion, an in-depth analysis of slavery and all associated aspects, the development of Richmond as the capital city of slavery, segregation and resistance, and the black majority issues faced by modern day Richmond. Shortly after reading this book, I took a tour of Richmond with the author, Benjamin Campbell. While both his book and his tour held a political and personal bias, I believe his work to be thorough and informative.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in the Richmond metropolitan area needs to read this book. In so many ways, the history Ben Campbell details here is the opposite of what I was taught in the Richmond Public Schools so many years ago. We learn to respect the viewpoints of those who were not in charge, from the natives the first colonists met to the African-Americans who were, and are, "put in their place", to the religious minorities and many more. Whew! He also argues forcefully and convincingly that the suburban counties and the city need one another to thrive. Illustrated throughout with period pictures.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the Virginia history I was taught in elementary school. Well documented, interesting reading.

After reading this book, I have a much better understanding of the struggles that face the City of Richmond. As much as people deny it, Richmond's history has evolved over the issues of class and race.

I highly recommend this book to anyone living in the Metropolitan Richmond area, especially Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties.

[PD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not unaware of the history of United States, the good and the bad; and yet, it is can still be shocking to read quotes of laws from centuries past. It is particularly disheartening to read about the developed bifurcation between "Christian" and "slave" being defined in terms of racial descent––"Christian" being from European descent and increasing demarcation for "slave" as African descent.....regardless of baptism.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Campbell's life is all about the work of justice. This shows in his book. If you have Richmond connections, this'll wow you. If not, you will probably still be interested to learn how people other than white dudes have been systematically stepped on and pushed aside. News flash: Richmond is just one example. That's why this book is useful outside Virginia, because the same truths have been played out elsewhere. Thank you, Ben, for all the work you put into telling this important story.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very incisive overview of the shape of Richmond's history as a microcosm of the history of the nation. Extremely instructive for a recently arrived resident to the city, and I would recommend the first 3/4 of the book to anyone. But its focus narrows incredibly as it approaches the modern era. Would have liked to have seen less repetitive data on one subject (schools) and more of a broad scope for the whole scope of the region's recent history.