Slavery's Legacy

Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade  is a new book by Sharon Leslie Morgan, whose great grandmother was an enslaved African-American, and Thomas Norman DeWolf, whose white ancestors were active in the Slave Trade. Together they embarked on a journey researching their ancestors' experiences, "seeking to come to terms with the history out of which racism evolved."

Sharon Leslie Morgan is founder of the African American Genealogy site OurBlackAncestry.com. Thomas Norman DeWolf is author of Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as thea Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History.

"Coming to the Table is an initiative focused on bringing together descendants of enslaved people with descendants of slaveholders; providing leadership, resources and a supportive network for those who wish to acknowledge and heal the enduring wounds. The healing model presented in Gather at the Table involves four interrelated practices: Sharing histories of race with openness and honesty; connecting with others across racial lines; exploring healing through dialogue, ritual, apology, etc.; and actively seeking to heal the pervasive, present-day, structural wounds of racial inequality and injustice.

Tom and Sharon hope to inspire a national dialogue about the legacies of slavery and racism and offer practical guidance for individuals and groups dedicated to healing America."

You can hear them talk about their journey here on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show (Oct 8, 2012):