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Slavery's Descendants: Shared Legacies of Race and Reconciliation
Race remains a potent and divisive force in our society. Whether it is the shooting of minority people by the police, the mass incarceration of people of color, or the recent KKK rallies that have been in the news, it is clear that the scars from the United States’ histories of slavery and racial discrimination run too deep to simply be ignored. But what are the most productive ways to deal with the toxic and torturous legacies of American racism?
Slavery’s Descendants brings together contributors from a variety of racial backgrounds, all members or associates of a national racial reconciliation organization called Coming to the Table, to tell their stories of dealing with America’s racial past through their experiences and their family histories. Some are descendants of slaveholders, some are descendants of the enslaved, and many are descendants of both slaveholders and slaves. What they all have in common is a commitment toward collective introspection, and a willingness to think critically about how the nation’s histories of oppression continue to ripple into the present, affecting us all.
The stories in Slavery’s Descendants deal with harrowing topics—rape, lynching, cruelty, shame—but they also describe acts of generosity, gratitude, and love. Together, they help us confront the legacy of slavery to reclaim a more complete picture of U.S. history, one cousin at a time.
Slavery’s Descendants brings together contributors from a variety of racial backgrounds, all members or associates of a national racial reconciliation organization called Coming to the Table, to tell their stories of dealing with America’s racial past through their experiences and their family histories. Some are descendants of slaveholders, some are descendants of the enslaved, and many are descendants of both slaveholders and slaves. What they all have in common is a commitment toward collective introspection, and a willingness to think critically about how the nation’s histories of oppression continue to ripple into the present, affecting us all.
The stories in Slavery’s Descendants deal with harrowing topics—rape, lynching, cruelty, shame—but they also describe acts of generosity, gratitude, and love. Together, they help us confront the legacy of slavery to reclaim a more complete picture of U.S. history, one cousin at a time.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
280 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2019
7 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 20, 2019
Full disclosure. I'm the author of one of the chapters in this book (#10: The Immeasurable Distance Between Us). Having now read the other 23 chapters, the Foreword, Introduction, Afterword, and Postscript, I am proud to have my story included in such a powerful anthology of stories with fellow writers, friends, and colleagues who are all part of Coming to the Table; the non-profit organization I've been part of since its founding in 2006. The organization I've worked for since 2013, which has a vision for the United States of a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past — from slavery and the many forms of racism it spawned. With a wide variety of experiences and writing styles, this collection of stories are filled with joy and sorrow, rage and courage, and through them all runs a thread of hope for the transformation and liberation of individuals and our nation.
July 29, 2019
This compilation of essays, stories, and reflections is a heart-expanding look at the way many individuals have stepped out of their comfort zone, opened their eyes to the truth of past wrongs, and "come to the table" with those whose lives are different from theirs to do what they can to stand for justice. Kudos to the efforts of the Come To The Table organization and their good work to bring healing and reconciliation between those who have descended from slaves and slave owners.
January 13, 2020
This is an excellent work on current thinking about our country's legacy of racism. Based on an organization called Come To The Table (CTTT) which brings together all Americans, whether white, black, mixed heritage, into a group which honestly and painfully examines the penalty the US has paid since the first slaves were brought here 400 years ago.
The writing is stellar, too, and if you're thinking that all the white people are just sitting around beating themselves up, all the any ___ are thinking the same thing, you'd be wrong. Very insightful, at times painful, definitely worth reading.
I bought it, so who wants to borrow it? Let me know.
The writing is stellar, too, and if you're thinking that all the white people are just sitting around beating themselves up, all the any ___ are thinking the same thing, you'd be wrong. Very insightful, at times painful, definitely worth reading.
I bought it, so who wants to borrow it? Let me know.
October 5, 2021
I bought this book after attending a reading by Dione Ford, one of the editors. I had long admired Ford's blog, Finding Josephine, which documented her tireless and fruitful journey to uncover her family's history dating back to the era of enslavement.
That was two years ago, before this current moment of rage and hostility at the notion of teaching our children about the past, the outrage against critical race theory. Now these personal stories from Black and white descendants of slavery feel even more essential, a balm to begin healing the trauma of a brutal institution that was an insult to all humanity. Many of those whose ancestors benefited from the enslavement of others bear the shame and guilt of their forbears.
I want to assign this book to everyone who thinks the past is best left buried. The collection of works gathered here are an antidote to the suppression of one of this nation's darkest crimes (along with the genocide of Natives and theft of their land).
The work of Coming to the Table, a bringing together of the descendants of both the enslaved and their enslavers is a beginning, the planting seeds of a larger more healing conversation that the nation needs. It may be too late for some, but this book gave me some hope.
Both Ford and Co-editor Jill Strauss share their personal stories in this volume. As a woman of both African American and Jewish heritage, I appreciated both their perspectives. Not sure why Jill Strauss is listed on Goodreads as the only author.
That was two years ago, before this current moment of rage and hostility at the notion of teaching our children about the past, the outrage against critical race theory. Now these personal stories from Black and white descendants of slavery feel even more essential, a balm to begin healing the trauma of a brutal institution that was an insult to all humanity. Many of those whose ancestors benefited from the enslavement of others bear the shame and guilt of their forbears.
I want to assign this book to everyone who thinks the past is best left buried. The collection of works gathered here are an antidote to the suppression of one of this nation's darkest crimes (along with the genocide of Natives and theft of their land).
The work of Coming to the Table, a bringing together of the descendants of both the enslaved and their enslavers is a beginning, the planting seeds of a larger more healing conversation that the nation needs. It may be too late for some, but this book gave me some hope.
Both Ford and Co-editor Jill Strauss share their personal stories in this volume. As a woman of both African American and Jewish heritage, I appreciated both their perspectives. Not sure why Jill Strauss is listed on Goodreads as the only author.
June 14, 2024
In this excellent and thought-provoking anthology there are accounts of sleeping in slave quarters, learning that a great-great grandfather—by all accounts a great guy!—drafted legislation to racialize slavery and stories of deciphering an ancestor's will to discover that the line items of appraised property are actually people.
The book is divided into four sections: Uncovering History, Making Connections, Working Toward Healing, and Taking Action.
In this way, it's not just a collection of essays that demonstrate the breadth and scope of slavery and the racism in our country today. It also offers solutions for healing (as practiced by the group Coming to the Table) for those willing to work for it.
The mission statement for Coming to the Table reads as follows: "Working together to create a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past, from slavery and the many forms of racism it spawned."
The same can be said for Slavery's Descendants.
The book is divided into four sections: Uncovering History, Making Connections, Working Toward Healing, and Taking Action.
In this way, it's not just a collection of essays that demonstrate the breadth and scope of slavery and the racism in our country today. It also offers solutions for healing (as practiced by the group Coming to the Table) for those willing to work for it.
The mission statement for Coming to the Table reads as follows: "Working together to create a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past, from slavery and the many forms of racism it spawned."
The same can be said for Slavery's Descendants.
February 5, 2021
While I don't often read nonfiction or books of essays from cover to cover - I read every word of this incredible book. I chose to read one story/essay per day. Reading it in this way has given me a chance to absorb each story on its own, to reflect, and then over the course of the month, to feel the cumulative energy building through the 4 sections. I am so impressed with the work of Coming To The Table and the individuals who have chosen to share their stories of being descended from enslaved people and/or from those who enslaved them.
Even though I have finished the volume, I know I am not done with these histories, and they are not done with me. I will carry them with me and add to my understanding of them over time.
Even though I have finished the volume, I know I am not done with these histories, and they are not done with me. I will carry them with me and add to my understanding of them over time.
October 9, 2019
In these contentious times, when it is getting harder and harder to truly listen to one another, this book provides a refreshing, necessary, often challenging entry into meaningful dialogue. As difficult as it may be to confront the legacy of racism's impact on us all, this collection reminds us that honest, eyes-open examination can indeed lead to generosity, gratitude and love. Required reading.
February 18, 2020
4.5-star read
February 7, 2021
Excellent book. Meaningful.
July 25, 2023
There's a lot of white hand-wringing here, but I'm glad this book was published as part of what I hope is a path to healing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews