Jesse Hagopian, a teacher-author-activist in Seattle, wrote this moving article in The Nation. He, his brother, and his father traveled to Morgantown, Mississippi, to visit the plantation where his ancestors were enslaved. The trip was delayed by the pandemic and illness. But when they arrived at last, they had an unforgettable experience.
Knowing that their trip occurred at the same time that many states were banning the teaching of the truth about slavery made them even more motivated to learn the truth and teach it.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
What a moving piece, Mr. Hagopian! Beautifully written. Powerful!
Thank you 🙏🏾❤️
Thanks for posting this, Diane. Great article and history lesson! 👍
Sharing!
What a wonderful story of family history. Most ancestors of former slaves often have little knowledge of family history as slaves are never listed by names on documents before The Civil War. Slaves were listed as property on census documents. Tracing family roots often help people understand their personal history. A year ago there was a story on an Air Force veteran and his family that bought a former plantation house to use to hold family reunions. His ancestors were slaves on the property which includes a family cemetery behind the home. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11157769/Air-Force-vet-56-unwittingly-buys-Virginia-home-ancestors-slaves.htm
Amazing story, Jesse, of another family’s HOME COMING!
One of my absolute favorite programs on GPB
is Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ program, “Finding Your Roots” – tracing the history of America’s families. One concludes that we all came from somewhere, experienced things along the way, and our DNA tells the connections among all of us.
There is no such thing as a PURE WHITE RACE….
as they say, “DNA don’t lie!”
Good Luck – REPUBLICANS, trying to BAN, BURN, OUTLAW, SCARE, BURN, HIDE, SHAME, LIE, ERASE, JAIL, FORBID…….good luck on that.
It will not happen if people stand up and live their family’s truth for their ancestors & generations to come.
My first thought was, “how powerful” and then discovered that Bob Shepherd had the same thought!
So beautiful and profound. Thank you, Mr. Hagopian.
Makes me understand what heartstrings are.
Thanks to Diane for posting my essay and for the kind words from readers! I hope the letter I wrote will be used in classrooms to teach truth!
YES!!!
Thanks to Diane for posting my essay and for the kind words from readers! I hope the letter I wrote will be used in classrooms to teach truth! Thanks y’all,
Jesse
Your family research is fascinating. I’m curious if you learned about the current landowner—what year his ancestors came to the U.S., for instance.