EP 9: The Remarkable Journey of Josiah Henson

07/24/23 • 28 min

Still Paying the Price: Reparations in Real Terms

In this episode, Mark Thorne, the Historic Site Manager for the Josiah Henson Museum and Park, explores the life and journey of Reverend Josiah Henson, a remarkable figure in Black history who emerged as one of the great abolitionists of his era. Henson, a contemporary of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, played a significant role in freeing numerous enslaved individuals. Thorne discusses Henson's experiences as an enslaved person on a plantation in Maryland, his struggles to gain freedom, and the challenges he faced along the way. Despite setbacks and betrayals, Henson's unwavering faith and determination led him to fight for his family's freedom all the way to Canada. Reported by Juleyka Lantigua.

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EP 8: A Father Illustrates “The Talk” and Touches on the Debt Owed to Black Boys

Every Black and Brown parent dreads having “the talk” with their children. It is a dreaded right of passage that signals a loss of innocence for their sons in order to protect them from a system that targets them. Darrin Bell is an acclaimed cartoonist, author, and commentator. In his graphic memoir, The Talk, he illustrates his own encounters with racial profiling and discrimination. Bell also gets real about what is owed to Black boys who navigate a world where their lives are constantly at risk. Reported by Juleyka Lantigua.

Follow Darrin Bell on Twitter @DarrinBellArt.

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EP 10: Mia Anderson's Reflection on Her Ancestor Josiah Henson

Mia Anderson is the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Reverend Josiah Henson. She shares her family's knowledge and admiration for Henson's legacy, which includes helping enslaved individuals escape and establishing the Dawn Settlement, a place where freed Blacks could learn trades and rebuild their lives. She also addresses the controversy surrounding Henson's portrayal in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which misrepresented his story. Anderson highlights the need to correct the false and derogatory usage of the term "Uncle Tom" and emphasizes the true strength, faith, and dedication exhibited by her ancestor. Reported by Juleyka Lantigua.