Research Project

Slavery is a stain on America’s record due to the sheer brutality that American slavery perpetuated. The after-effects of slavery remain expansive: voter suppression, public lynchings, and the infamous racial wealth gap. These issues have coalesced to make it incredibly difficult for American Descendents of Slavery (ADOS) to get ahead in America economically and socially. According to Pew Research Center, in 2019 63% of Americans felt that slavery still affected Black Americans a great deal or fair amount. Since 2019, multiple U.S. House committees and subcommittees have held hearings with Nikole Hannah-Jones’ work, the 1619 Project as one of the frameworks. Today, 78% of African-Americans feel that they still struggle with the problems posed by slavery. Furthermore, 64% of African Americans feel that true racial equity will not be achieved anytime soon (Pew Research Center, 2022). Democrats are 80% more likely to agree that slavery has contributed to an unjust society and still has a significant effect on the country and it’s institutions. But simply acknowledging the plight that chattel slavery has created for ADOS isn't enough; there must be federal action that seeks restitution for the atrocities of slavery. In conclusion, this research will use academic framework to: 1) keep the conversation of reparations alive and 2) craft a package centered around home/land ownership and educational equity.