In a four-hour series for public radio, "The Reckoning" traces the history and lasting impact of slavery in America by looking at how the institution unfolded in Kentucky. This history is the genesis of many of the issues that have exploded into public consciousness throughout the country in 2020.
The state remained in the Union during the Civil War, but many white Kentuckians fought to hang onto slavery and the wealth the enslaved provided. In the years that followed, former Unionists and Confederates banded together to violently deny black citizens a seat at the table. As part of this story, we will meet members of two families, one white and one black, whose lives were intertwined through slavery. These families reflect how slavery touched nearly every person, place and institution in America, and how the country still needs to reconcile this painful past with the impact slavery has had on the present-day health, wealth and safety of African Americans.
Episode 2: Recovering History
Due to prohibitions against enslaved people learning to read and write, there are only a few written records left behind by formerly enslaved Kentuckians. But thankfully, over 100 people were interviewed during the 1930s about their experiences while enslaved. These narratives, combined with letters and diaries kept by white enslavers, help us better understand the true nature of slavery in Kentucky. Join us for this hour-long special on Sunday, November 8 at 7 p.m. The following episodes in the series will air each Sunday until November 22.
