Poster #42 - Oral Histories: Exploring Meaningful Repair for Universities Studying Slavery

• In Event: 15.062 - MTCC Poster Session One
  In Poster Session: 15.062-4 - Division L Section 1 Poster Session

Abstract

Since 2003, U.S., based universities with enslaved history have explored their past and implemented policies of atonement. However, some universities have experienced opposition to their policies suggesting that they are symbolic and do not attend to the generational impact of slavery. This paper explores restorative justice based on the oral histories of 10 Georgetown University enslaved descendants. Participants of this study were identified as direct descendants by the Georgetown Memory Project. Enslaved descendants have a unique voice and provide great value to University policy discussions on what meaningful repair might look like. Findings suggested that repair should focus on accessible education facilities. Memorials were perceived as sites of conflictual sentiments. Further, all commemorative acts should be developed alongside descendants.

Author

• Linda Mann, George Mason University