Man unknowingly buys former plantation house where his ancestors were enslaved - 60 Minutes

[Rhiannon12866]

An Air Force veteran wanted a new house for large family gatherings; he ended up getting an incredible link to his family’s past. Aired on 05/15/2022.

[Deuxcents]

1. I saw this earlier when it aired..

Great story...I hope they follow up when they clean the cemetery n rehab the slavehome.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Oh, I sure agree, fascinating story and there needs to be a followup!

[Historic NY]

2. Wonderful story....

I've located a similar slave cemetery in my locale, he might have to dig done a few inches t opossible find initials.

[TygrBright]

4. I like that they're going to make it an educational/historical site.

We need to come to terms with America's history - ALL of it.

I'm fairly sure none of my ancestors held African American slaves - most of my people didn't migrate to America until after the Civil War, except for the French Canadians, who have their own sins to come to terms with.

Nevertheless, the history of my privilege as a white person growing up in America in the 20th Century is inextricably entwined with slavery and its aftermath and the willful dehumanization and exploitation of people who are not white.

I need to know.

I need to the origins of why it was alright to build a freeway through that neighborhood and not this one. Why it was okay for me to take any bus line I wanted to, without thinking about it. A thousand little things that shaped my life are the product of a system that depended on making other people less than fully human.

It's always a temptation, as we get older, to regard the time of our youth as "the good old days."

But my "good old days" depended on black people being invisible. Or staying within the stereotyped roles assigned to them.

I cannot imagine the bitterness of the families displaced because it was more convenient to route that freeway through their streets, to tear down their shoe store, barbershop, corner grocery, cousins' house, Uncle's church, and scatter them to the four winds.

I cannot imagine the bitterness of being talented and smart and ambitious and knowing that you'd never be allowed to set foot in the schools, colleges, clubs, offices, congregations, neighborhoods, where you'd have a chance to show what you could do, and get a real opportunity to succeed.

I cannot imagine the sorrow and the anger and the pain of being invisible and excluded.

I cannot imagine the impact of knowing that my ancestors were stood on a sale block as merchandise.

But I need to know.

sadly,
Bright

[Deuxcents]

5. Your post says it all...

I remarked earlier about their governor who wants to ban this part of history from schools. Makes no sense as Virginia would not be what it is today w/o those who made it so and were never acknowledgment or even given a name on documents.

[alwaysinasnit]

6. Thanks for posting Rhiannon. It brought a knot to my throat, but a smile came with it.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Oh, I agree, this was a exceptional story - and like others have said, I hope they do a followup!

[alwaysinasnit]

8. I look forward to it. Thanks again.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. 60 Minutes is a class act

Back in the day, I worked with CBS, talked with publicists to learn what was on since I was responsible for scheduling and descriptions for the newspapers. Face the Nation was very unpleasant, acted like I was bothering them, but my 60 Minutes contact went above and beyond, was always a favorite.

[alwaysinasnit]

10. What an interesting and educational career you must have had. I appreciate you sharing snippets. And

I, too, have always liked and trusted 60 Minutes.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. It could be pretty stressful since it was a deadline business

I had to call Face the Nation on Fridays to find out Sunday's guests for the daily listings - and I never got to know the women there, whoever I got was always sounded irritated with me even though I called them every week. But I got to know most of the others and got to be friendly with them and there were several who went above and beyond, especially 60 Minutes.

[alwaysinasnit]

12. Pretty cool!

I'll wish you a good night as it is past this old gal's bedtime.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. Get some good rest!

I should make it an early night, too, since I have a busy week - and I still get tired after having the flu. I got used to going nowhere and sleeping a lot. *sigh*