People and Profit

The late John Lewis said this... 'Tell the whole story. It should be told without apology or anger." I think when we share the truth of our country's history, we share the truth of our painful past, our country's progress, and the hope for the future. 

Today, we spent hours touring the National African American Museum History and Culture.  So much information ... As descendants of slaves... I cannot help but think of my family that were enslaved and sold for profit. Yet, I think of how they must have dreamed of a better future for their children. We are the reality of their dreams.

Here is one of the quotes from one of the exhibits.

 " In the domestic slave trade, the brutality that connected people and profit was clearly on display. Dealers were meticulous in their assessment of the values of enslaved people. During slave sales, enslaved people were forced to deliver a good showing to bring in the most profit; a glum display sometimes brought a whipping. Pleadings for loved ones was not tolerated Slave dealers believed such behavior made for a poor behavior which cost time and money." 

Below is a picture of the currency from Omaha that was issued for  domestic slave trade currency.  The currency of many cities was on display.