Harvard and slavery

by Andrada Costoiu

Slavery is a problem that plagued our world since its first civilizations and continues to influence our societies today. Very much of the discussion on slavery focuses on the U.S., although it would not be right to just look at America. Slavery was initiated by the European merchants and slavery was practiced in Europe as well. It is just that Europe is a little more quiet about it….

A friend of mine has recently sent me some interesting information and I thought I should share it with you. If you’re not interested please pass this post and go to my poetry and to other things that I say:)

Harvard University has conducted research and has recently published the findings about its ties with slavery. Below is a video about the history of this university, its ties with slavery and the first phase of their project. I think it is wonderful that they take accountability. Everybody should take accountability about their past and about their actions and I am speaking here not only about nation states and big institutions but also about individuals. Take responsibility for your actions and behaviors at work, in life, in your relationships. Your willingness to be honest and vulnerable when you are wrong, would make you a better person and would help you grow.

Harvard pledges $100M to research, atone for role in slavery. Hurray :).

Let’s also not forget that slavery and racial injustice is a global issue. I recently started reading a book slavery, colonialism and race. The book is well written, it is interesting and I recommend it to you if if you’re interested in this issue. It’s written by a Georgetown scholar, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò and it’s called Reconsiders Reparations.

Sending you all good vibes.
And if you’re not into this type of learning, go to my poetry:)))

Born blind

by Andrada Costoiu

Ink has dried on papers,
Where pen has pressed hearts, of black and white,
Of yellow and all other human colors….
So many books have been written,
To highlight the difference of no difference……

“Billy, can we sit here,” asked a boy his play buddy.
“Yes Andrew, lets’!”
“Do you hear the birds singing?” he asked his friend,
“Yes, they sound nice,” answered Andrew.
“They have pretty feathers too, white and brown, just like the two of you,”
Said a man sitting on the bench next to theirs,
The boys smiled, and sword fought with their white canes.

The man watched their joyful child play for a while,
“I hope that other eyes would never break your play,”
The old man said to himself.
He left, sad, dragging with him the burden of seeing colors,
And all the meanings attached to them.

You cannot feel something,
Until someone teaches you to feel something.
And sometimes, you cannot think something,
Until someone teaches you to think something.

Colors….

Red symbolizes excitement, passion and love in Western cultures
It also symbolized communism and revolution in countries like Russia.
Yellow, In Germany it represents envy,
In Egypt it means happiness and fortune.
Purple means wealth around the world. 
But in Brazil and Thailand purple is the color of mourning.


Billy and Andrew have not learned about black and white,
Born blind, 
They would have others to teach them……
And the others must never break their play.

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