Georgetown And Racial Reconciliation | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Georgetown And Racial Reconciliation

Learning from its sins, the university makes a huge step towards justice.

8
Georgetown And Racial Reconciliation
msb.georgetown.edu

Racial relations has become one of the hot topics of the news recently. This past Thursday, one university in particular made huge strides to improve the broken relationships they had created with their former involvement in slave trading. Georgetown University released a statement apologizing for its role in the slave trade, and even offered special ways to make amends for the crippling effects slavery had on the African American community. Although the school’s history is something widely recognized, the recent uproar about race relations, specifically on college campuses, has brought it into direct light. The university will now be offering admissions preferences to students who are descendants of those who were sold to benefit the school. Now, these descendants will receive the same treatment as children of faculty and staff.

This decision came after a panel of students, alumni and faculty reviewed the school’s previous involvement in slave trading to either benefit the school or pull it out of debt. A sale occurred in 1838 that resulted in $115,000 ($3.3 million today) being spent to directly benefit Georgetown University. There were also hundreds of enslaved people working for and in the school. Not only was this a direct blow to human dignity, but it tore families apart, families that still live on today. It pulled women away from their children and men away from their wives. Not to mention, once sold, many slaves were sent to Louisiana where they worked under extremely harsh conditions where owners typically tended to have no mercy on them.

The response to the recent decision has been emotional to say the least. Many who trace their lineage directly back to the slaves sold in 1838 are overjoyed that they are finally being recognized. Finally, there will be no absence of an apology. Still, as Craig Steven Wilder stated, “the significance of such a gesture would rest heavily on the degree to which Georgetown invested in outreach to descendants, including identifying them, making sure they are aware of the benefit's existence and actively recruiting them to the university.” Statistically, there may be 12,000 to 15,000 living. With such a large number, the university certainly has its work cut out for it.

It’s no secret that much of America’s history is built on the backs of those who were enslaved, mistreated, and exploited; but it’s also no secret that we are a progressive nation working to repair the mistakes made in the past. Georgetown University has made a remarkable step in the direction of freedom, atonement and justice. Learning from your sins is never easy, but it will always be worth it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2171
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1303
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200527
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21091
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments