Unpaid Slave Labor at St. Louis University Calculated Over $70 Billion, Civil Rights Attorney Argues Cash Payments

Unpaid Slave Labor Valued at Over $70 Billion

A civil rights attorney has calculated unpaid slave labor at St. Louis University to be worth over $70 billion, sparking a potential recourse for the descendants of enslaved individuals who built the institution. Areva Martin discussed the institution's obligation to compensate the descendants for the historical exploitation.

Freedom Monument Sculpture Park

A new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, which opens on March 27, is dedicated to honoring the millions of people who endured the brutality of slavery. The park, created by the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, features art pieces and exhibits that depict the lives of enslaved individuals, providing visitors with an honest and hopeful experience with the history of slavery.

Honoring the Victims of Slavery

The National Monument to Freedom, a towering monument within the sculpture park, is inscribed with 122,000 surnames chosen by formerly enslaved individuals after being emancipated at the end of the Civil War. The park aims to confront the harsh realities of slavery while also recognizing the resilience and hope of those who were enslaved.

Creating a Truth-Telling Space

Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, envisions the sculpture park as a truth-telling space that allows visitors to confront aspects of history that are often overlooked. With a focus on creating a future less burdened by the legacies of slavery, the park aims to inspire reflection and understanding.

Historical Significance and Exhibits

The sculpture park is situated between the muddy waters of the Alabama River and railroad tracks, highlighting the transportation mechanisms used to bring people to the city's slave markets in the 1800s. The exhibits within the park include 170-year-old cabins that housed enslaved families, a whipping post, and first-person accounts by enslaved individuals, providing a comprehensive portrayal of the history of slavery.

Artistic Representation

The park features artwork by various artists, including sculptures that convey both the horrors of slavery and the resilience of those who escaped and created new lives. Visitors will encounter powerful artistic representations that capture the complexities of the enslaved experience.

Confronting History for Progress

Despite push-back in some regions attempting to limit the teaching of race and history, Stevenson views this resistance as a desperate act to maintain the status quo. He emphasizes that confronting the truth about history is essential for progress and a step toward freedom, equality, and justice.

Promoting Truth and Confrontation

The Equal Justice Initiative has been at the forefront of promoting truth and confrontation with America's history, erecting historical markers in downtown Montgomery to acknowledge the sites of slave markets and lynching sites across the South. Stevenson believes that acknowledging the harm caused by historical injustices is a crucial step in moving forward as a society.