What is Mass Slavery Apology? 

Mass Slavery Apology's work for racial justice and healing grew from an apology for slavery written by three of our members, all white, with guidance from advisors of color. Since it was completed in 2009, we have expanded our group and our focus.

Our main projects at present:

- Educating others, especially whites, about racism and white privilege. In addition to this website and our apology statement, we:

• Speak in the western MA area about working for racial justice, racism and white privilege, the Interfaith Pilgrimage of Middle Passage, and other related topics. We also facilitate around racism and white privilege – two barriers to creating inclusive communities.

• Describe our work and/or table at events in the western MA area. We can bring part or all of our engaging display addressing racism, white privilege, and working for racial justice, as well as copies of our apology statement and other handouts.

- Networking and building collaborations with other antiracism activists through events, this website, and our email list.

- Seeking signatures for our apology statement. The statement is a powerful voice for racial healing, transformation, and education, and we invite people of European descent to join us by adding their signatures.

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Introduction to

Facing Our Unhealed Past

Some time ago, a group of us, friends brought together by a common desire to confront racism, traveled to New York City to see The Maafa, A Healing Journey. The Maafa is a moving and enlightening theater piece about slavery and its vestiges through the ages. When a local friend mentioned that she hoped to stage a similar production with a focus on our area of western Massachusetts, we were prompted to think about how we, a group of whites, could contribute to this healing journey.

We decided that we wanted to offer a formal apology to African Americans and all other descendants of those who were enslaved in the United States.

With guidance from African American and Native American activists/educators, we have written this apology for slavery, including commitments to restorative action. 

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Wondering what other readers think about our statement?

We've received many comments...

read them here

A few articles about race and Occupy Wall Street:

So Real It Hurts by Manissa McCleave Maharawal

Occupied Movements, Colonized Minds by Eda Uca-Dorn

Whiteness and the 99% by Joel Olson

Race and Occupy Wall Street by Rinku Sen

The Black Burner by the Black Institute

Dear OWS, Welcome to our World by Elon James White

George at Occupy Wall Street, October 2011

A few items from recent Mass Slavery Apology email updates:

Recommended links and articles:

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Coming Events:

Truth, a New Folk Opera about Sojourner Truth, the ex-slave, fiery abolitionist, and women's rights pioneer. Coming to the Academy of Music in Northampton MA at 7:30 p.m. on February 16, 17, 18, 2012.

White Privilege Conference, March 28-31, Albuquerque

Facing Race Conference, November 2012, Baltimore

Race, the Power of an Illusion: a film and discussion series organized by Multicultural Bridge in Berkshire County, January, February and March.

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and receive occasional notices of anti-racism events and trainings, info about resources, and more.