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| Harper's Magazine depiction of slaves in Montgomery |
The New York Times got the jump on local media last week when it published a story about three new historic markers to be installed in Montgomery about the city's role in the slave trade.
The Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery had sent out a news release, though it apparently it was not a very inclusive mailing list.
The event wasn't on the Associated Press schedule of events for the day, and we at ANN didn't receive a copy, despite the multiple station TV newscasts we produce.
Nonetheless, there were the signs installed by EJI after the Alabama Historical Commission declined the opportunity. Wrote the Times:
"The Alabama Historical Association, which has its name on many of the historical markers around the state, confirmed the accuracy of the research but declined to sponsor the markers, citing “the potential for controversy.”So, if we don't admit our involvement, maybe people won't know?
I'm glad the under-construction Alabama Voices Museum in the Department of Archives and History will include slavery as a force that made Alabama what it is today.
You can read a short version of the report issued by EJI the day the signs were unveiled here. The pictures included in the report are disturbing.
[Sunday Focus if a regular feature of TimLennox.com]
Thanks for this info, Tim. I was reading somewhere this week (maybe it was on your blog?) about the many markers in Montgomery commemorating the Civil Rights movement, but the lack of acknowledgement concerning the city's role in slave trade. Both the NYT article and the EJI report were quite informative.
ReplyDeleteHi Charles...I think you may have read the Times piece, or an Advertiser piece about it. Note that EJI offers the full version of their report on request, which I may do. I wonder if EJI knew they were locating in a former slave warehouse when they moved in, or only later.
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