How to Talk About Slavery: with Ray Rickman

RINewsToday

Well known Rhode Islander and African-American historian, Ray Rickman, will make a presentation at the Tiverton Library on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:30pm, “How to Talk About Slavery”. The library is located at 34 Roosevelt Avenue in Tiverton, RI. In this 1-hour presentation, Ray Rickman draws on his extensive knowledge of both Rhode Island…

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Slavery and Justice – The second report of Brown University

The cover of the report of the brown university committee on slavery and justice.

Fifteen years ago the first report, Slavery and Justice, was released by Brown University, having been three years in the making. This month, 2021, Brown University releases its revised report. The new report supplements the existing one. It is required reading of all Freshman before entering university study. The committee’s charge The president’s charge to…

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3rd Slave History Medallion dedicated at Smith’s Castle

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By Charles Roberts, Executive Director, RI Slave History Medallions Photo, top:  Lady Estelle Barada About 100 mask-wearing, socially distanced citizens attended the celebration of the third Slave History Medallion in Rhode Island, including Jamestown City Manager Jamie Hainsworth, City Council Representative Susan Taylor of Newport, State Representative Lauren Carson of Newport, State Representative Julie Casimiro of North Kingstown, and Senator Bridget Valverde of East Greenwich, Narragansett, and North and South Kingstown. The dedication ceremony at Smith’s Castle was…

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RI Slave Medallion dedication at Smith’s Castle

RINewsToday

The dedication of a RI Slave Medallion at Smith’s Castle will take place Saturday, October 10th from 10 to 11am. Smith’s Castle is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive in North Kingstown,. The event features remarks by RI Slave History Medallions (RISHM) director Charles Roberts, Smith’s Castle Vice-President and Education Committee chairperson, Robert A. Geake…

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204th Anniversary – End of Slavery in Little Compton

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Photo: Imagined portrait by Dora Atwater Millikin Slavery and Freedom in Little Compton Explore the history of northern slavery and emancipation through the personal stories of people enslaved in Little Compton and the surrounding communities. Special attention will be paid to the histories of enslaved women and girls. August 5, 2020 is the 204th anniversary…

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The Untold Truth About Slavery – by Ed Achorn

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By Edward Achorn, Exploring the Story of America (Editor’s Note: The Untold Truth About Slavery is the first of several articles from different perspectives on Black history planned by RINewsToday – we thank Ed Achorn for allowing this publication.) Last week, Tim Kaine made a ludicrous statement: “The United States didn’t inherit slavery from anybody.…

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Why Did We Ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

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By Mary T. O’Sullivan, MSOL One of America’s great authors, Mark Twain, was a prolific satirist and social commentator. As an example of great American literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remained on the required reading list for most 10th grade students following the New York State Regents Curriculum in the 1980s. Was some of…

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Aborting the Menokin legacy

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Photo: Menokin House as it will look when rebuilt with “deconstructed” elements. (Menokin Foundation) by David Brussat, architecture writer, Architecture Here and There Menokin House, near Warsaw, Va., was built in 1769 by Francis Lightfoot Lee, who received the plantation’s land as a wedding gift. He was the brother of Gen. Lightfoot Harry Lee of…

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155 years ago today… Juneteenth

RINewsToday

What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now…

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