How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America

by Clint Smith

I thought of how slavery—a history with which Angola is inextricably linked—was only being alluded to in a sort of offhanded way. Roger stood at the front with a microphone in his hand, glancing around to see if anyone had a question as we traveled to our next destination. I cleared my throat. “I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about the prison’s relationship to slavery.” I was nervous to ask the question. And I was ashamed of myself for feeling nervous. Roger paused, then nodded. “He’s asked me to talk a little bit about the prison’s relationship to slavery,” he said, repeating my question, perhaps to buy time, or so people in the back of the bus could hear.