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The Zong and the Cost of a Life
In 1781, a British slave ship named the Zong threw more than one hundred and thirty enslaved Africans into the Atlantic Ocean. This was not an accident or a tragedy of the sea. It was a calculated decision made by the crew to preserve their water supply, but more importantly, to protect their financial interests.
smartbrowngirlllc
Dec 73 min read


Beyond the Deflection: Understanding African Kingdoms and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
When people say "Africans sold Africans," they often try to erase the massive imbalance of power and scale. This phrase ignores the structure that shaped individual choices and the broader system engineered by European powers.
smartbrowngirlllc
Nov 223 min read


The 1619 Project: The Book They Don’t Want You to Read
In 2019, Nikole Hannah-Jones launched The 1619 Project, a pivotal initiative that reexamines American history through the lens of slavery. By putting the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia in 1619 at the forefront, the project challenges the oversimplified and often romanticized narrative of American origins. It exposes how slavery has been a vital force in shaping the United States. This bold assertion has led to significant controversy resulting in the book
smartbrowngirlllc
Oct 294 min read


Erasing History: The Dangerous Trend of Sanitizing America's Public Memory
Public memory isn’t just about what we remember; it’s also about what we’re told to forget. Right now, in America, government officials are quietly removing critical evidence of slavery, racial violence, and resistance from our parks and classrooms. This leads to a future where justice is disconnected from truth, and “patriotism” is used to excuse this erasure.
smartbrowngirlllc
Sep 184 min read


Trey Reed and the Weight of History
Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old student, was found hanging on the campus of Delta State University, a devastating event that has sent shockwaves through his community. In the immediate aftermath, officials announced, “no foul play suspected.”
smartbrowngirlllc
Sep 163 min read


From Convict Leasing to Billion-Dollar Inmate Labor: The Dark Legacy of Kentucky Prisons
Kentucky's prison system has transformed into a powerhouse of economic activity, generating billions from the labor of incarcerated individuals. This troubling trend echoes the history of convict leasing, which arose after the Civil War and represents a dark chapter in which the freedom of Black people was taken, repackaged, and exploited for profit.
smartbrowngirlllc
Sep 113 min read


Reparations and the Civil War Myth What We Must Acknowledge About True Justice
The story of the Civil War is often presented as a simple conflict between freedom and oppression. While it is undeniable that the war aimed to end the horrific practice of slavery, it is crucial to recognize a significant truth: the conflict did not provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved individuals.
smartbrowngirlllc
Aug 53 min read
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