In this article it talks about the slave trade that happened in St. Louis that was led by a prominent trader, Bernard Lynch. Black Missourians were considered property under the state law. During this time period, the cotton industry was on the rise so many enslaved people feared being sold down the Mississippi River. His main trade site was called, “Lynch’s Slave Pen.” Bernards prison incarcerated enslaved people about to be sold at auction, freedom seekers who had been captured, and free Blacks who had violated the law. Not to mention, he had employees to violently punish the “inmates.” Lynch abandoned his prison because the U.S military seized it at the beginning of the Civil War. Before these people were sold, they had to endure beatings, were forced to be naked or wear very little clothing in front of big crows, etc. In one of Lynch’s advertisements, it was descriptioned, “For Sale–A highly likely intelligent MULATTO BOY, between ten and twelve years of age. It is a good hand to wash dishes, wait on the table, take care of children, run errands, &c. Address post office, box 2,577”.  In the advertisement for the selling a little light skin boy, they referred to him as “it” rather than his proper pronouns which are he/his. I feel as if that was very dehumanizing and degrading. 

So the questions I’ve posed are:

  • What are some ways to deliver information to people who aren’t willing to learn about the negative past of, in this case, St. Louis? How do you deal with their  guilt and change their perspective?  
  • What goes through your head when finding out about uncovered history and how does it make you feel?
  • Why don’t you think history like this isn’t already being told ? Do you think it’s not being told for a reason (like they are trying to hide it) or what do you think?