A Recap of the History of Slavery and Discrimination: 1619 – 1970 (Virtual Seminar)

This seminar series presented by Gibbel Kraybill & Hess attorneys J. Dwight Yoder and Sheila O’Rourke in collaboration with Reverend Edward M. Bailey of Bethel AME Church has been exploring the legal and historical context of slavery and racial discrimination in the United States. Often referred to as America’s “original sin,” the kidnapping of Africans, who were then taken to the U.S. colonies where they were enslaved and treated as property, represents one of the most tragic and inhumane parts of our country’s history. Our founding document – the United States Constitution – preserved and protected slavery as an institution. Even after slavery was abolished by the adoption of the 13th Amendment during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War, discrimination, organized violence and systemic oppression against African-Americans continued. This discrimination was legalized by the states, encouraged by the federal government and sanctioned by the courts. After four seminars over the past year exploring the history of slavery, the fifth seminar was postponed due to COVID-19.

We are pleased to announce the resumption of the series with this virtual seminar. Attorney Yoder and Reverend Bailey will review some of the key historical events and facts from the first four seminars as we re-engage and continue to learn about—and struggle with—our country’s history and how that history affects and shapes us today. Please join us for this virtual seminar. You can either join as a participant by registering in advance at the link below, or you can watch the live-stream feed from GKH’s Facebook page. A link to the live stream will be posted here and on GKH’s Facebook page prior to the start of the virtual seminar on June 3. All are welcome to join!

To be able to participate and ask questions in this seminar you must pre-register through Zoom at the link below. Please be advised that the seminar, including the question and answer session, will be recorded and posted on the internet for viewing by the general public. By preregistering you consent to your participation in the seminar being included as part of the recording that will be posted on the internet following the seminar.