We acknowledge the profound legacy of slavery in our region and the enduring impact of the enslaved African people whose Legacy Acknowledgment
was exploited for generations. Their contributions were pivotal in establishing the economy of both our region and the United States, particularly through the production of surplus crops and the cultivation of land.
From the beginning of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in the 1500s until 1867, an estimated 12.5 million enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas. Millions endured unimaginable suffering in bondage in the United States until the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery and indentured servitude. Additionally, we recognize the Arab Slave Trade, during which it is estimated that over 17 million enslaved Africans were killed or died due to brutal conditions, playing a significant role in the historical exploitation of African peoples. This contributed to the systemic dehumanization and cultural erasure that persists today.
The end of slavery did not bring true freedom; instead, it was followed by discriminatory laws that entrenched a racial caste system, legitimizing anti-Black racism. This legacy is further compounded by the brutal practice of lynching, which claimed an estimated 4,000 Black lives in the United States from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. The legacy of slavery, coupled with ongoing racist practices, continues to shape American culture and institutions at every level.
The legacy acknowledgment of enslaved Africans built many civic and federal institutions that we all interact with today. The economics of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the exportation of cotton positioned the United States as a leader in global trade for centuries, a legacy that continues to yield financial benefits from the exploitation of the descendants of enslaved Africans.
We also recognize the harm inflicted by colonialism and white supremacy, particularly the erasure of both First American Nations and African identities through racist laws that fostered severe socio-economic inequities.
By acknowledging the land taken from Indigenous peoples and the forced legacy acknowledgment of enslaved Africans, we understand that the foundation of our nation is rooted in white dominant culture and patriarchal systems of oppression, including racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism. Through this acknowledgment, we commit to dismantling all forms of racial oppression and anti-Black racism in our pursuit of democracy, freedom, and justice.
