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Synopsis of Historical and Human Rights Projects Documenting Venture Smith involves a revolutionary collaboration between some of the nation’s most highly-respected natural scientists, historians, anthropologists, genealogists, poets, actors, educators, media outlets, philanthropists and the general public. Its goal is to bring to the public’s attention the life, times and accomplishments of an extraordinary yet little known African American who died over two centuries ago. By combining historical and anthropological evidence with genetic analysis, we expect to reconstruct not only Smith’s biography and immediate history, but also the genealogical links across centuries and continents between the multitude of Smith’s forebears and descendants in West Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States. In this regard, the project opens an unprecedented opportunity to illuminate the experiences of 18th century Africans and their enslaved American descendants and to make those experiences central in our nation’s history. Equally important, the project makes it possible to forge powerful connections between those historical experiences and the experiences of African- American people living today.
For these reasons in particular, the Project sets a very high priority on producing results that will have a broad, sustained impact on the way American history is presented in higher education, public schools, and to the general public. It will develop and promote new American history and American Studies curricula, as well as sponsor the work of poets, and actors whose work addresses themes exemplified in Venture Smith’s life. On the undergraduate and graduate levels, the Project will offer new fields for further interdisciplinary research by sponsoring student internships, graduate fellowships, and an ongoing series of academic conferences. The History and Human Rights Team includes scholars from:
The Beecher House Center for the Study of Equal Rights |
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