How To! Living at Odds | 3. Making Amends for Ancestors
Apr 22, 2025
Kellie Farrish, a genealogist specializing in the histories of enslaved ancestors, and Kate Baron-Alicante, a financial activist with a focus on social change, join the discussion. They delve into the emotional turmoil of reconciling modern identities with painful ancestral legacies. Kellie reveals how reparative genealogy can unlock hidden family stories, while Kate reflects on her family's ties to slavery. Together, they explore the significance of forgiveness and communal healing in addressing America's complex history.
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Unseen Legacy of Slaveholding
- Many white American families have slaveholding ancestors, highlighting deep historical ties to slavery across influential institutions.
- Genealogical research can reveal uncomfortable truths that challenge family narratives and require personal reckoning.
Turning Plessy v. Ferguson Into Friendship
- Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson, descendants of figures in the Plessy v. Ferguson case, met and transformed historical conflict into friendship.
- They founded an organization promoting unity and education about their shared history, reframing the divisive legacy of segregation.
Power of Reparative Genealogy
- Reparative genealogy helps uncover lost family histories and facilitates healing conversations between descendants of enslaved people and enslavers.
- This work challenges erasure and creates a platform for acknowledging the past to shape a better future.
