15:49This move is aimed at transforming qualitative findings into quantifiable economic impacts, providing a solid foundation for future reparative measures. The Task Force emphasized the importance of understanding the financial legacy of historical injustices, which includes the contributions of Black Bostonians to the city’s social, political, economic, and legal culture.

0:00Following the vote, the session transitioned to a detailed research presentation by a team of historians and genealogists, who shared preliminary findings on the impacts of slavery in Boston. The researchers, collaborating with local archives, have focused on mapping the people and places related to slavery from 1620 to 1940. This mapping effort, involving historical tax records and other documents, aims to repopulate old maps with the locations of enslaved individuals and highlight cases such as Adam, who successfully sued for his freedom in 1703. These efforts seek to document the historical presence of Black Bostonians and provide a clearer understanding of their experiences.

The presentation delved into the legal framework of slavery in Massachusetts, citing key legislative moments such as the 1670 law that allowed the sale of enslaved children, which entrenched family separation and chattel slavery. The researchers highlighted how enslaved and free Black individuals navigated the legal system. They also examined the significant role of genealogical research in connecting present-day descendants with their ancestors’ histories.

15:49Additionally, the Task Force addressed the intricate relationship between slavery and Boston’s economic development, emphasizing industries like the sugar trade, which were sustained through exploitative practices involving Black labor. The role of the church and prominent figures in perpetuating these systems was also discussed. The Task Force’s report aims to uncover the stories of lesser-known enslaved individuals alongside notable figures such as Phyllis Wheatley Peters.

44:48The session also touched on the ongoing challenges of presenting a cohesive historical narrative that accurately reflects the contributions and struggles of Black Bostonians. Concerns were raised about adhering to the reparations ordinance, which specifies eligibility based on lineage from enslaved people in the U.S., and ensuring that the focus remains on American descendants of enslaved people. The importance of addressing historical injustices, including the Great Migration and systemic disenfranchisement, was emphasized as important to understanding the full impact of slavery and its legacy.

1:29:49Participants stressed the necessity of grounding discussions in the historical context of slavery, referencing the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, and underscored the urgency of validating historical narratives through economic data and genealogical research.