When I discovered these narratives of former enslaved individuals from Indiana collected during the Great Depression by a cadre of writers who were part of the THE FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT
1936-1938, I was excited, but at the same time filled with dread.
I was excited because I knew I was about to read a real accounting of men and women who suffered the horrors of being enslaved, but apprehensive because I was about to hear the raw, cruelty, injustice and pure evil one group of people committed on another.
Each story is unique, and while some of the enslaved spoke of being treated well by those who enslaved them, others spoke of whippings, being sold down the river and being ripped from their loved ones arms -- and worst.
Amazingly, most of the survivors seemed to hold no malice, and in fact, displayed altogether positive views of life and the future.
In so many ways, their stories are a shameful account of the inhumanity of humankind and also the uplifting story of the resilience of those enslaved. Few have been untouched by the Mortal Sin of Slavery. In my case, my Great, Great Grandfather from Ireland and his brother both died at the hands of Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederacy, fighting for the Union and against slavery.
More than 150 years from the day freedom was declared for the enslaved, the United States is still trying to make amends for the horrible damage this evil institution wrought on a people. One can only hope that someday in the near future the spirit of forgiveness and restitution will heal these deep wounds and human slavery will be wiped from the face of the Earth.
Meanwhile, these narratives of the enslaved are eye opening and a needed reminder for many. To read them is to face the hard truth.
Chet Dembeck
Editor
Unknown Boundaries Publishing
