Monday, June 23, 2008

Traces of the Trade

There is a new documentary set to run on PBS this week titled "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North." In it, a woman reveals that her New England family's wealth and prestige was in the trafficking of human beings (you can view the trailer here).

According to the official synopsis:

In the feature documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, filmmaker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide... From 1769 to 1820, DeWolf fathers, sons and grandsons trafficked in human beings. They sailed their ships from Bristol, Rhode Island to West Africa with rum to trade for African men, women and children. Captives were taken to plantations that the DeWolfs owned in Cuba or were sold at auction in such ports as Havana and Charleston. Sugar and molasses were then brought from Cuba to the family-owned rum distilleries in Bristol. Over the generations, the family owned 47 ships that transported thousands of Africans across the Middle Passage into slavery. They amassed an enormous fortune. By the end of his life, James DeWolf had been a U.S. Senator and was reportedly the second richest man in the United States. (Read more).

This looks to be interesting. Check your local PBS listing for air times.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

marcellaPastor Carter,
I pray you made it home safely and as always enjoyed spending some time with you this past week. Great word and God bless!
Peace.
PS. Hopefully by next year my golf game will be such that I can play in your group. HAHAHA

ajcarter said...

Thanks C Love,

The fellowship was rich and the Word rewarding.

Also thanks for the balls. Even though they did not make much difference.

When you begin to lose a few less balls, then we can play in the same group again. Until then, keep swinging that 4 iron, Bagger Vance. LOL

BTW: Nice Shoes

Anonymous said...

I am still hard, but I almost cried. What was troubling the most was the fact that constantly stated "they were devout Christians". That somehow doesn't harmonize with 1 Timothy 1:10.

I guess to add to that. If we give them a pass just saying it was the culture, what about homosexuality, fornication and the like. These are huge pressing sins in the community of the "church" today but we punt anyone who say it is acceptable but we somehow say slavery was a cultural deal and give them a pass. Well if Christ tarries for another 100 years I guess the next generation will look back and see the sins we consider today just something of the times.

TC said...

I watched "Traces of the Trade" last night and was deeply moved by the film. It finally made write something on my blog. Anthony, I believe you attended RTS-Orlando with my campus minster while I was in college at Florida Southern, Paul Joiner. Can't wait to read your new book.