15. Slavery’s Legacy Remains in the North Today
Northern communities are actively confronting their historical ties to slavery. Universities like Harvard and Yale have initiated research projects and public apologies to acknowledge their past involvement. Harvard’s “Harvard and Slavery” initiative, established in 2006, investigates the university’s connections to slavery, including donations from slave-based economies and affiliations with scholars who promoted scientific racism. Yale University, in 2024, apologized for its historical role in slavery and announced efforts to address its legacy, including funding for community educators and a lecture series (washingtonpost.com). Museums and historical sites are also playing a crucial role in this reckoning. The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s exhibition “In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World” immerses visitors in the freedom-making practices of Black communities navigating the legacies of slavery and colonialism. Additionally, the Northern Slavery Collective, a network of institutions including Historic Hudson Valley, is working to reinterpret narratives to include stories of enslaved and free people who lived and worked on these properties (hudsonvalley.org). These efforts reflect a broader movement to acknowledge and address the enduring impacts of slavery in the North.
