“Slave for a Day” Program Draws Controversy at Hampton Historic Site
Perhaps they were well-intended, but some are not taking lightly to a “slave for a day” program being held at the Hampton Historic site. The plan for the organization is to allow people to live and work as a slave, to see what it was like. Some have criticized the program, stating that it would not be sensitive to have a holocaust for a day program for Jews.
There are others who might disagree. The Irish Potato Famine is sometimes remembered with a walk that allows people to experience what the Irish went through during that difficult time. Millions died of starvation during the potato famine, so reenactments are seen as ways to remember what their ancestors went through.
Maybe that’s what the Hampton folks were actually trying to do. Here is part of a message we went sent from someone who is not happy about the reenactment, as well as the time and place that it is set to take place:
Slave for a Day at Hampton National Historic Site
535 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286
Sunday, July 8, 2012 1 pm- 3:30 pmFirst time ever at Hampton! Experience what it may have been like being enslaved. Work in the fields with actual hoes and scythes. Carry buckets of water with a yoke on your shoulders! Park Ranger Angela Roberts-Burton will be in period clothing telling tales of the enslaved who labored here.
If that was not enough, we are excited about ADACI (African Diaspora Ancestral Commemoration Institute) joining us. These gifted African drummers, spiritual advisors and spoken word artists will perform a ceremony to commemorate those who were enslaved at Hampton. An altar will be on display in the slave quarters to pay homage to those who were in bondage. You may bring names of your ancestors to be placed on the altar. Admission is free. Event is handicap accessible.
Please call or email Ranger Angela Burton at NPS and let her know that playing at being a ” Slave for a Day” belittles the pain, the misery, that slaves suffered. I am a Jew and couldn’t imagine a program ” Holocaust for a Day” nor would it ever be allowed. 443 742-2277 cell email Angela_Roberts-Burton@nps.gov
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It might be offensive to some, but it might remind the gang bangers among us how lucky they are and stop blaming the Man for everything and take advantage of what their ancestors died and fought for!
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. Definitely has a different feel to it than the game some children played a few months ago, and with African Americans being in charge of the reinactment, all the better. I personally would visit the reinactment before criticising it. The children’s game seemed quite insensitive.
There’s a difference between someone playing around with something like slavery of the Holocaust, and actually role playing it to teach people. To ignore either event totally is a very bad idea, because when we forget our past … it is so easy to repeat the same events all over again.
The real thing was enough, no reactments necessary, I see enough in peoples racist ways to remind me of this negative period of time every day, 24-7.
Even though we’re not slaves physically
we,re still slaves mentally!
After teaching Social Studies, American History and Civics for over twenty five years, I do not feel this. We had all kinds of programs for our students but never a slave for a day. There are other ways to relate the impact of slavery. The movie “Roots” upset me much less a group of college students presenting this program and involving the community to participate. Reading and showing pictures of slaves to get the point across is enough and having individuals to close their eyes and pretend to be enslaved.
I am appalled that this approach has been made. Reach out to the community in another way.
I think this may be an educational experirence for both races. African American history is not taught or studied enough in our schools.
I do not know why people want to compare the Holocaust to 400 years and counting of racial discrimination in the USA. It is NOT THE SAME OR EVEN COMPARABLE!!!!!
maybe a different title but I feel the intent was sincere and for a lot of us may be very necessary.
Disgraceful! Why would any African-American want to live even one second as a slave.
All nationalities come to America escaping all manner of atrocities but you don’t see white America trying to make them live again for a day under those atrocities.
We need to know the history of slavery, we don’t need to be reduced again to slave status as the GOP would have us.
WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT! WE CAME FROM AFRICAN KINGS AND QUEENS (STOLEN), THE PEOPLE WHO STOLE AMERICA FROM THE NATIVE PEOPLE WERE SERVANTS, AND THIEVES IN ENGLAND WHO WERE RUN OUT OF THEIR COUNTRY, READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS. LET THEM SPEND A DAY AS A SERVANT AND LIVE THEIR OWN HISTORY.
Slavery, economical slavery is still here in 2012, it has been re-masked and is well financed.
I am a first time Author and I have written a book called:
Why Are Afro-Americans Affraid To Take Off The Blinders, it will be released this July, please check it out. It will explain alot of unanswered questions.
The only thing I would find offensive in this is if it was being run by another Race. I would check it out because I’m interested in my History I always want to keep it close to my heart. You can’t get any closer than this you have to agree! I’m also bothered at the fact that every time we talk about Slavery we have to bring up the Holocaust? We were in Slavery for 400 yrs and as far as I’m concerned we are as a Race still in it to a certain degree. Holocaust survivors have also been compensated for their suffering and lost, do you see as many Jewish people in poverty and violence as Blacks? If you don’t agree with this for any reason look at it like this, you have a choice this time not to have anything to do with this unlike our Ancestors. Peace
Hey, let’s have an reinactment of the Nat Turner Rebellion. I’m curious to see how many caucasian participants would volunteer?
I cant believe someone said this might be educational…lol there is no such thing as African American History, it is African History and it begins in Africa not America, for the most part this is down right stupid, you dont need to re-enavt slavery because it still exists..and the Irish Potato famine, guess what…they got that potato idea from us, they just couldnt till the land properly or prepare for the harsh weather appropriiately. They were without knowledge all they could grow were potatos cus thats all they knew how to grow, plus not much fertile soil. You have to be ral ignorant to think this is in anyway positive and it pokes fun somewhat at our intelligence. THis is not real history, read people and stop listening to the teachers and school books who are nuttin but decievers.