Katie’s Comments (group member since Feb 10, 2019)

Katie’s comments from the Diversity & Equality Lit. group.

I found that reading Kossola’s story was at times both difficult and uncomfortable.

What made it especially difficult was knowing there are thousands upon thousands of similar stories that remain untold. Barracoon is important because US history books often diminish the suffering we inflicted during this time period; this book immortalizes the voice of a person that our country has tried/still tries to suppress and forget.

What made it uncomfortable is acknowledging that over a century after Kossola told his story, aspects of it are still reflected in the experiences of people today. Although the form of slavery and oppression have changed, they haven’t been eliminated. I agree that police brutality and racism within the criminal justice system are a major injustice that many turn a blind eye to. It far too is easy to stay unaware and complicit when your white privilege protects you from being directly impacted. I am still trying to learn more so that I am not part of the problem.

There is a documentary called Thirteenth (available on Netflix) that unpacks the ways in which the corruption of the criminal justice system manifest as a modern form of slavery. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it already. Please share any other book/articles/movies you know of on this topic.