HISTORY
Why America's Legacy of Racism is Hidden in Plain Sight
A story about the genetic consequences of chattel slavery
Sometimes, the truth is hidden in plain sight. For instance, if you've ever seen the inside of a tree trunk, you could determine its age by counting the dark brown rings. The same can be said of Black Americans. If you see a Black person, their skin color, hair texture, and features tell a little of the family's story. After all, studies show the vast majority have an African ancestor who was enslaved. In this way, Black Americans have become a visual reminder of this country's darkest hour, chattel slavery. But there is undoubtedly more to the story, something hidden right beneath the surface that takes a scientific lens to uncover.
Through oral history passed on throughout generations, Black Americans have learned of the sexual violence that occurred throughout the chattel slavery era. They were made not only to work but often to perform sexual acts to appease White enslavers. After the Atlantic Slave Trade ended and American enslavers could no longer legally import enslaved people, this phenomenon became a way of increasing the enslaved population by raping and forcibly impregnating Black women. Genetic scientists have found evidence that these stories are more than urban legends.
