I just watched Traces of the Trade, a documentary by Katrina Browne, about the involvement of her New England ancestors in the slave trade. She gathered a number of extended family members who chose to explore this history together, from the family hometown of Bristol, Rhode Island, to Ghana, and to Cuba.
Most families have aspects to their history they would rather not talk about. In the case of the DeWolfs, it’s the fact their family was the largest slave-trading family in US history. The past is always present, whether we talk about it or not. It’s fascinating to watch them grapple with the story, with the varying perspectives within the group, and with the implications for current action.