Historian to Present "Retracing the Journey of Slavery"

The Middle Passage, the torturous, deathly journey traveled by African slaves on their way to bondage in America, was filled with disease, starvation and inhuman conditions for those aboard the slave ships that traversed the Atlantic for more than 300 years. The centuries-long stream of African slaves into America has had an undeniable effect on our society and continues to impact our lives today. Outspoken historian Howard Zinn points out that "America has been America with slavery longer than America has been America without slavery."

On Wednesday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m., social activist Terri Nash will present "Retracing the Journey of Slavery: Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage" in Wright Hall at Smith College. The presentation, through slides, stories and narration, will document the "Journey of Slavery," a retracing coordinated by Nash of the treacherous journey some African slaves were subjected to en route to America. Through the presentation, which is part of the Smith College School for Social Work's 1999 Summer Lecture Series, Nash will analyze the importance of understanding the role slavery has played in America's social fabric.

Nash, a midwife and alternative therapy consultant, resides in New Salem, Massachusetts.

Nash's presentation is the tenth installment of the School for Social Work's 12-part lecture series. All series events are free and open to the public. The Smith College School for Social Work, which was founded in 1918, enrolls 450 students each year in master's and doctoral programs.

July 22, 1999