ShareThisThe state of Connecticut on Wednesday evening became the 8th state (and the first in New England) to apologize for its role in slavery. I refer you to my cousin James DeWolf Perry’s blog, The Living Consequences, for his excellent coverage of this legislative act.
One detail that amazed me when I read it in Joanne Pope Melish’s book Disowning Slavery is that in Connecticut, on the eve of the American Revolution, half of all ministers, lawyers, and public officials, and a third of all doctors owned enslaved African people.
I look forward to Rhode Island taking similar action. Still technically known as “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,” the “Ocean State” was responsible for half of all U.S. slave trading.
Thomas Norman DeWolf. Author of the book "Inheriting the Trade" (published by Beacon Press, January 2008). Born in California. High-tailed it to Oregon in the early 70's for college. Happily married for more than 20 years. Father of four. Grandfather of four.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
[...] For more information about the apology and the historical role which Connecticut played in slavery, please see here and here. [...]
June 6th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
[...] Inheriting the Trade | Connecticut becomes 1st New England state … [...]