Posts Tagged 13th Amendment

The Shores family pose for a portrait near Westerville, Custer County, Neb., in 1887. Jerry Shores was one of a number of former slaves to settle in Custer County. He took a claim adjacent to that of his brothers, Moses Speese and Henry Webb. Each had taken the name of his former owner. They are among the thousands of homesteaders who moved west in the late 1800's and set up housekeeping with the only natural resource the Great Plains had in abundance: sod. (AP Photo)
By Katie Barnes • 8 years ago

On slavery, 150 years later

Today is December 7th. On December 6th, 1865 the United States ratified the 13th Amendment, officially abolishing slavery. In our short, historical memories, 150 years may feel like a short time, but it really isn’t. By my estimation, I am probably five or six generations removed from my father’s family’s enslavement, which is also about as long as my mother’s (white) family has been attending college.  So that’s awkward.

Today is December 7th. On December 6th, 1865 the United States ratified the 13th Amendment, officially abolishing slavery. In our short, historical memories, 150 years may feel like a short time, but it really isn’t. By my estimation, ...