New Books in Political Science Clint Smith, "How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America" (Little, Brown and Company, 2021)
Nov 9, 2025
Clint Smith, a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of "How the Word Is Passed," explores the complexities of narrating America's history of slavery. He shares insights on visiting landmark sites like Monticello and Angola Prison, highlighting how these places reflect contradictions in American memory. Smith discusses the challenges of presenting painful truths without alienating visitors. He also emphasizes the importance of oral histories and community conversations about memorials, advocating for thoughtful public history that acknowledges the past.
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Symbols Shape National Stories
- Symbols and place names shape public narratives and policy by signaling which histories we honor.
- Clint Smith argues that these stories determine material conditions and who counts in America’s memory.
Jefferson's Paradox Revealed
- Jefferson embodied America's racial contradictions: author of equality yet lifelong enslaver.
- Smith intentionally writes lyrically to reject Jefferson's claim that Black people couldn't produce sophisticated art.
Angola Makes History Literal
- Angola prison sits on a former plantation and holds mostly Black men, many serving life sentences.
- Former inmates like Norris Henderson feel the literal continuity between enslaved labor and prison fieldwork.
