How the Word is Passed ★★★★★

How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America (Click Here To Buy)

★★★★★

How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith is a non-fiction book about the author traveling to seven places and exploring how slavery was a part of these locations.

I read this as an audiobook checked out from the library and read by the author. I found out about this book when Smith interviewed Ashley Ford at the end of her book Somebody's Daughter.

Smith begins his tour at Monticello, home to Thomas Jefferson. Smith talks about how Jefferson was against slavery but also owned slaves, as well as his relationship with Sally Hemings, a Black woman who fathered many of his children. From there, Smith goes on to tour the Whitney Plantation and Angola Prison - at the tour of the Whitney Plantation, guides are very intentional about discussing slavery whereas at Angola they seem to divert or shy away from it. Smith attends a confederate party at Blandford Cemetery a then goes to Emancipation Park on Galveston Island. Smith explores New York City, from sites where slaves were sold to Central Park, which used to be a Black neighborhood. Finally, Smith travels to Gorée Island in Senegal where many slaves passed through on their way to being sold into slavery.

This was a well researched and well written book. I learned a lot about slavery in America and I know that there is still more to learn. Smith does a great job of interlacing facts with personal stories to make the book both engaging and educational.

If you liked How the Word Is Passed, I also recommend Four Hundred Souls Edited by Ibram X Kendi and Keisha Blain, Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo, Caste by Isabel Wilkernson, and Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X Kendi.

Happy reading -

Ms.Bjork