Historians to Discuss Link Between Rutgers' Founder and Slavery

[Tango Two]

Historians will discuss the connections between Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, the principal founder of Rutgers University, his family and African-American abolitionist leader Sojourner Truth, who was at one time their slave, plus stories of other early slave-holding leaders of Rutgers College at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at the Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville.

Speakers include:


https://www.tapinto.net/towns/new-b...torians-to-discuss-link-between-rutgers-found

 

[BoroKnight]

I am all for exploring all aspects of history, particularly when it comes to Rutgers and New Jersey, but I am getting a bit tired of acting as if anyone who owned a slave should be expunged from our collective memory. I fear this is where this kind of "discussion" will lead.

 

[Korbermeister]

I am all for exploring all aspects of history, particularly when it comes to Rutgers and New Jersey, but I am getting a bit tired of acting as if anyone who owned a slave should be expunged from our collective memory. I fear this is where this kind of "discussion" will lead.

so you fear that the first few presidents of the US will be expunged from history?

 

[Scarlet Pride]

I am all for exploring all aspects of history, particularly when it comes to Rutgers and New Jersey, but I am getting a bit tired of acting as if anyone who owned a slave should be expunged from our collective memory. I fear this is where this kind of "discussion" will lead.

Slavery is a stain on our history that shouldn't be ignored. Rutgers has done a very good job with this and has not lead the discussion in this direction. It's been much more about honest reflection, acknowledgement, and academic examination rather than finger pointing.