It’s 2024. To date, there has never been a more polarizing time in America to discover that your ancestors owned enslaved people, particularly when a large portion of America and its people want to deny slavery even existed. They want to bargain with the despicable realities of history, as if they aren’t despicable. Slavery couldn’t have been “that bad,” right? Heck, nowadays folks want to argue that slavery was “good” for Black people, or slavery is the same as white poverty, or slavery was nothing more than an employment agreement.
None of those intentional mischaracterizations could be further from the truth. And while it is infuriating, it’s not based in reality. In reality, humans owned other humans. Enslaved Africans were brutalized to within an inch of their existence, so white people could live a comfortable life, and so their children’s children’s children’s children could live a comfortable, better life.
Slavery isn’t limited to America, slavery was (and still is) a global enterprise where businesses and nations worked together to ensure they maximized their positions and profits from the blood of African and Black people.
Nevertheless, as we progress through the years, more and more people are willingly looking back, combing the history of their own families to discover whether or not their ancestors owned enslaved people.
Because they want to know the truth, and they understand that where and who they come from has directly impacted who and where they are today.
1. Educate Yourself- for Life
People who get into genealogy typically have a curiosity about themselves, their families, and, in history. In fact, one could successfully argue that it’s in some ways easer to understand and remember history when we learn it through the lens of our own genealogy. This is definitely a helpful approach when you decide to dive into your family’s relationship to slavery.
And once you cut the string and open the box, it doesn’t close again. You realize, accept and embrace that whatever happened in the past may not be your fault, but it is apart of your family’s legacy, and a part of our collective history. Don’t just surf the topic at a high level. Where your ancestors lived is relevant to understanding their lives, and the lives of the human beings they owned. Gaining a deeper understanding of the system of slavery will help you contextualize your family’s history and its consequences.
2. Process Your Feelings
Discovering that your ancestors owned enslaved people can evoke a range of emotions, including guilt, shame, anger, and sadness. Yes, your feelings are valid, and yes, it’s okay to feel all of them. It is important to acknowledge and process these feelings. Talk to trusted friends, family members, or even consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor who can help you navigate your feelings.
3. Engage in Dialogue
Engaging in open and honest conversations with family members about your family’s history can be a transformative experience. It can also be an infuriating one. Pick your battles. It’s not your job to bring your research to the Thanksgiving dinner- the topic of race can be hard for anyone, and it’s probably not a good idea to blindside people. Think about who your likeminded family members are, and share the information with them, first.
4. Research Your Family History
As said in the first tip above, instead of backing away, dig deeper. Delve into genealogical research to learn more about your ancestors and their lives. Look for primary sources, such as wills, property records, or census data, that may provide insights into their involvement in slavery. This research can help you piece together a more comprehensive understanding of your family’s past.
5. Support Initiatives and Organizations
Some people feel an obligation to do something when they find out their family’s involvement in slavery. That is normal. You can support a local or national civil rights organization, or, a local or national Black/BIPOC organization that focuses on something you already care about, so it’s more personal to you. Avid soccer fan? Donate to a Black or BIPOC youth soccer club.
6. Use Your Privilege
Privilege is not about money. It’s about your proximity to the status quo, who can move throughout society without unfounded limits or consequences. You’ve seen the last two decades in America, don’t be obtuse about it. Recognize the systemic inequalities that persist today and actively work towards dismantling them.
7. Foster Understanding and Reconciliation
Engage in initiatives or projects that promote understanding and reconciliation between descendants of enslaved people and descendants of slave owners. These efforts can include community dialogues, educational programs, or collaborative projects aimed at healing historical wounds and building a more inclusive future.
8. Support Reparations
Yes, reparations are owed to the descendants of enslaved Black people. Reparations can take various forms, such as financial compensation, educational opportunities, or community investments. Support policies and organizations that work towards rectifying the historical injustices of slavery.
9. Learn from the Past
Reflect on the lessons that can be learned from your family’s history and use them as a catalyst for personal growth and societal change. Commit to actively challenging racism, discrimination, and inequality in your own life and within your community.
10. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion
Finally, embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your life, and fight to protect it in our communities and overall society. Using politics to erase people is wrong, period.
Discovering that your ancestors owned enslaved people is a complex journey, but it also presents an opportunity for growth, understanding, and positive change. By taking these steps, you can navigate this challenging aspect of your family’s history and actively contribute to a more just society.
