UN Memorial Confronts Our Painful History and the Legacy of Slavery
Washington DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement commemorating the unveiling of the Permanent Memorial to Honor the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations:
“The legacy of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is a brutal, inhumane and immoral stain on the history of the U.S. and the collective history of humankind. The horrors of the Middle Passage, during which thousands died, and the inhumanity of American slavery cannot be forgotten or ignored.
Nor can we forget the countless unsung heroes whose actions to abolish slavery saved lives and laid the foundation for emancipation. These slaves, abolitionists and activists should be honored for their bravery and moral courage.
I am pleased that my request for a one-time U.S. contribution for the construction and dedication of the memorial was supported by my colleagues. African Americans who bear the legacy of slavery deserve to see their government participating in this powerful and important memorial.
We cannot hide from our history – no matter how painful it may be. The UN Slavery Memorial confronts our painful past and compels us to acknowledge the continued legacy of racism rooted in our nation. Through this memorial, visitors will have the chance to understand the consequences of slavery and commit to working to end racism and prejudice in all its forms.”
BACKGROUND
Congresswoman Lee, a member of the Appropriations Committee subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS), introduced an amendment to provide for a one-time contribution for the construction and dedication of the United Nation’s Permanent Memorial to Honor the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
In 2007, the U.N. General Assembly agreed to the establishment of this memorial. In 2011, The Ark of Return by Haitian-America architect Rodney Leon was chosen from 310 entries from 83 countries. Learn more in the United Nation’s website.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.