1619-2019: From Slavery to Mass Incarceration

Articles | December 9 2019
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Posted by Ben & Jerry’s: https://www.benjerry.com/

In America we celebrate the past all the time—the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the Bill of Rights, and so much more. It doesn’t matter that these all took place long ago, before we were born, before anybody alive today was born—these historical triumphs make many of us feel good about who we are as Americans, so we eagerly claim them as our own.

The first enslaved people sold in America were brought to Jamestown, Colony of Virginia, in 1619—400 years ago this very month. We don’t like to talk as much about that. But if we ever want to have an honest accounting of who we are as Americans, we can’t pick and choose what we wish to remember.

America, after 400 years, don’t you feel like it’s finally time to honestly discuss the legacy of slavery? (Read more)