Last year, a working group was created to explore Georgetown University’s ties to slavery. In 1838. the University had major debt. In order to satisfy their financial needs and keep the schools doors open, they sold 272 slaves to plantations in Louisiana. The lives of the men, women and children sold equated to $3.3 million dollars, enough to save the school. Jesuit Priests aided in the sale of these slaves and more on behalf of the University. As the University delves deeper into their history they are finding that their ties to slavery go deeper than they originally thought. In an effort to help counter that history, the University is offering “an advantage in the admissions process” to the descendants slaves that were owned by the University.
Georgetown President John J. DeGioia wrote a letter to the community, outlining the nest steps on slavery, memory and reconciliation at Georgetown. The letter links to the report that the working group has been working on and provides insight on some of the initial steps that will be taken. Some of those being: naming halls after former slaves, developing a public memorial, offering an apology for the University’s historical relationship to slavery and engaging with descendants. Descendants will be treated like legacy students, which will allow them to get preferential treatment during the admissions process.
Professor Adam Rothmans led the group and is hoping that the report will have some impact. “I hope that what we’re doing has a lasting impact. That what we’re doing now to engage with this history will endure decades from now.” As for the president of the university, he is looking forward to moving the discussion forward and dealing with the historical slave ties, saying, “I look forward to continuing to work together in an intentional effort to engage these recommendations and move forward toward justice and truth.”
Hopefully the recommendations from the working group help the University come to terms regarding their past. However there will never be an admissions edge, scholarship packet, or free room and board, that can help us come to terms with slavery.
