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ATLANTA — A new report from Reuters shows more than 100 current American politicians come from ancestors that held slaves.
The list includes senators, representatives, supreme court justices, and even presidents.
Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs said this report highlights the history that needs to be addressed, as it speaks volumes about American politics.
“(I’m) not shocked, but still surprised that the sheer number of elected officials that have ancestry that draws back to slave-holders,” Griggs said. “It’s very concerning.”
Here is a list of current Georgia Politicians who made the list:
• Gov. Brian Kemp – Number of enslaved: 56, generations removed: 6
• Rep. Austin Scott – Number of enslaved: 11, generations removed: 5
• Drew Ferguson – Number of enslaved: 49, generations removed: 5
• B uddy Carter – Number of enslaved: 79, generations removed: 5
• Rick Allen – Number of enslaved: 133, generations removed: 5
“They can’t help who they related to, but many of the leaders on this list – their strong, conservative values and their beliefs are in line with their ancestry,” Griggs said.
The report also shows that Rep. Allen’s family owned 133 slaves – the second highest on the list of 118 total, American politicians. Allen won an award from the American Conservative Union Foundation in 2018.
Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris is an Africana studies professor at Morehouse College.
“This is shameful history, but this history still impacts still has a great impact on the conditions, the experiences of people of African descent,” Harris said.
For Harris, these are decision-makers that cannot afford to be swayed by how they were raised.
“Have a great deal of influence of what occurs, what laws are passed, what issues are focused on in this country,” Harris said.
Griggs said he plans to offer a sit-down with each of these politicians to see what they’re aligned with. He said the Reuters report shows why education about slavery is so important for schools, as we are less removed from it than we think.
“Acknowledge the damage that was done,” Griggs said. “Apologize for the damage that was done. And move forward in a way that brings Georgia together.”
11Alive reached out to representatives for every current Georgia politician on this list. No one responded as of Wednesday, June 28.
Visit the Apex Museum to learn more about the history of American slavery.