Did Slavery really end with the Civil War? The documentary "Slavery by Another Name" explores how, in the years following the Emancipation Proclamation, systematic approaches were taken to re-enslave newly freed Blacks in the United States. This system included new brutal methods of forced labor in which men were arrested and forced to work without pay, bought and sold, and coerced to do the bidding of masters.
Spanning the 60 years following the Civil War, this 90-minute documentary includes interviews with key Black history scholars like Khalil Muhammad, Mary Ellen Curtin, Risa Goluboff, and Adam Green, in addition to moving reactions from descendants of both victims and perpetrators of the forced labor system. Giving voice to the thousands of victims from this period, "Slavery by Another Name" will challenge assumptions that slavery ended 150 years ago.
Watch the "Slavery by Another Name" documentary.
Reflection
In a short written or recorded reflection, answer the following questions: In an educational system where we are taught that slavery ended along with the Civil War, was this information surprising? Why do you think students are not taught the whole truth in history? Why does learning about this still matter today?
Submit your reflection to the MLK Challenge participation tracking form.