12 Comments
User's avatar
Gina S Meyer's avatar

“If the Taneys and the Scotts can be reconciled, why can’t anybody else?”

Because the Taneys knew right from wrong, and were willing to right their wrongs.

For the sake of our country and world, I hope the Taneys are the majority. We have not yet seen that.

Expand full comment
Anne Davis's avatar

I think it’s also interesting to remember the son of the previous owner who freed him. His name was Taylor Blow. The Blow family owned the Scott’s in Florence, al. Taylor grew up with Dred. When they moved to Missouri they had financial problems and had to sell Dred Scott to a surgeon in St. Louis. Taylor grew up to become a congressman. He not only purchased Dred Scott’s freedom but also paid his legal fees for his legal cases.

Expand full comment
Gina S Meyer's avatar

“Even in the midst of the Covid pandemic, 51% of Americans expressed confidence in the ability of their political system to address the nation’s problems. Today, only 33% of Americans believe that their political differences can be transcended.”

This administration is more destructive to our country than a deadly virus!

Expand full comment
Helen Garland's avatar

This well written post on a terrible part of history gives me hope which is greatly needed.

Expand full comment
Nancy Cozzi's avatar

A story I needed today, thank you Whitney!

Expand full comment
Elisabeth Birker's avatar

WOW. Thank you, Sharon❣️

Expand full comment
Gina S Meyer's avatar

Yes, this is one of my favs, and exactly what I needed today.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

I think that the statement "64% of Americans believe that the country’s political divisions are too profound to overcome" requires more clarification and context. I believe "right now" the country's political division is too profound to overcome, and I don't see it happening in the near future, but I don't believe it's never going to happen. It starts at the top, and vitriol, hate, and refusal to work across the aisle will not get us to overcome division.

Expand full comment
Diana Creek's avatar

This is a wonderful article ! It gives me hope

Expand full comment
Mary Louise's avatar

Thank you that. It was beautiful.

Expand full comment
Susan Childress's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment
Mari's avatar

Taney's words were horrible and vile. What a decrepit human being. So inferior and undeserving of any kind of respect and yet they were brought here by the shiploads. Enslaving, trafficking people, stripping away their sense of identity, their dignity, and any sense of worth was so rock bottom grotesque. You can not progress if there is no atonement.

Expand full comment