Breaking Open The Narrative: New Directions In Social Justice From Archaeology And Education In The Northeast

Summary

Often characterized as the hub of the American abolitionist and human rights movements, the Northeast United States has a more complex legacy. Evidence of enslavement and systemic oppression is plentiful, revealing a more accurate picture of the brutal conditions under which enslaved Africans and Indigenous peoples lived. Popular views ignore or underplay this disturbing legacy. However, immunity from critique is waning and re-examination with fresh data is underway. A new generation of scholars is shifting the narrative. More importantly, these scholars and practitioners are not sequestering such insights in academic channels alone. Instead, robust educational curricula and accessible communications platforms are being built and activated widely.

These data and discoveries are moving into the public eye faster than ever, with impacts on community discussion, stakeholder identity, and preservation policy. This paper contextualizes the work of session contributors, offering insights into the connection points between archaeological knowledge and public understanding.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2023

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Contact(s): Nicole Haddow