Researcher Disputes End Of Slavery

KENTWOOD, LA -- Most individuals believe that slavery ended in 1863, for Negroes in The United States of America. Antoinette Harrell has unearthed hundreds of documents while conducting research at the National Archives and county courthouses. Those documents prove that slavery existed well into the 20th century. Harrell has also conducted countless interviews with former sharecroppers and servants to peonage, which demonstrate the preservation and historical interpretation of slavery in the 20th century in twenty-seven counties throughout the state of Mississippi and sixteen states.

As quoted in a letter written on November 25, 1944 to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Williams H. Huff, director of Abolish Peonage Committee of America, "Honorable Franklin D. Roosevelt, I think you know by now that the Negro People of this country are looking to you for a new emancipation so that the form of slavery known as peonage, which entered the back door as the Proclamation of immortal Lincoln, drove chattel slavery out of the front door, should be abolished now for all times to come and we believe you will do it as no other can."

Harrell's research provide a direct link to the example of the worst living conditions nationally resulting from abject poverty inherent to survivors and descendants of 20th century slavery as experienced today. Those direct descendants and living survivors are currently slaves to poverty that most could not imagine. Harrell has made found a connection to their present poverty with:

* limited education,
* deaths due to lack of basic health care, and
* wrongful incarcerations, from Parchman Farm to The Prison Industrial Complex.
* who are living in ramshackle houses.
* who are isolated from public transportation and have to many miles for services,
* who go hungry because of lack food.

Gathering of Hearts had led several poverty tours throughout the Mississippi Delta and Southeast Louisiana. Joining Gathering of Hearts Poverty tours, was Dr. Ron Walters, Director of the African American Leadership Institute in Maryland, Professor Rebecca Hensley of Southeastern University Louisiana, Donna Owen-Journalist for National Press Radio, Students from the Kentwood High School Students of Kentwood, LA, Students of Southeastern University Louisiana and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Ines Soto-Palmarin Co-Founder of Gathering of Hearts organized a group of people who drove a u-haul of clothing, shoes and other items to gives to those in need. Joining this tour were photographers, Walter C. Black, Sr. Patrick Wilkes and Shawn Escoffery.

Antoinette Harrell and Ines Soto-Palamrin, Founders of Gathering of Hearts seeks to end outright suffering and abject poverty among the survivors of slavery and their descendants.