The Forgotten Story of New Jersey’s Enslaved People | Part 1 of 2

“New Jersey is known as the Garden State,” says author Beverly Mills in the two-part documentary The Price of Silence. “We’re known for our blueberries. We’re known for our corn. We’re known for our peaches. But we’re not known for the slaves that were here tilling the soil. We’re not known for the whole history of slavery connected to New Jersey and how slavery was the underpinning of much of the wealth of New Jersey.”
The film treks across New Jersey to bring to life stories of the enslaved, visiting the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, Mercer County’s Stoutsburg Cemetery and Hopewell, an area where enslaved Black families were among its founders, the Bainbridge House at Princeton University, and Perth Amboy in Middlesex County, where slave ships docked across from New York’s Staten Island. It also explores New Jersey-based organizations like Lost Souls Public Memorial Project that are trying to uncover and preserve the memories of the enslaved, with the help of citizens in East Brunswick and other parts of Middlesex and Somerset counties.
Part one, The Price of Silence: The Forgotten Story of New Jersey’s Enslaved People, seeks to fill a gap in Garden State history by sharing the little-known legacy of slavery across New Jersey.
Part two, The Price of Silence: The Lasting Impact of Slavery in New Jersey, continues the exploration of slavery in New Jersey with moving stories about events that took place during the 19th century, followed by the lasting impact that slavery still has on the African American community today. You can watch it at • The Lasting Impact of ...
The Price of Silence is a production of Truehart Productions and Public Media NJ, Inc. Truehart’s Executive Producers are Ridgeley Hutchinson and Andrew Schmertz; Keyon Williams is producer/editor; Antoinetta Stallings is producer. Joe Lee is Executive in Charge for NJ PBS. Major funding for The Price of Silence was provided by Chasing the Dream with support from The JPB Foundation and additional funding from The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, and Sue and Edgar Wachenheim, III.
____________________________________
Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America is a multiplatform public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York. We are reporting on poverty, justice, and economic opportunity, and showcasing promising solutions. Our goal is to better inform using facts that go beyond personal biases, media narratives, and presumptions about the American Dream.
Major funding for Chasing the Dream is provided by The JPB Foundation with additional funding from The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, and Sue and Edgar Wachenheim, III.
____________________________________
On the Brink: Playlist for Progress highlights docuseries, town halls and podcasts that tell real, human-centered stories of current, interrelated social challenges facing individuals and communities. The channel is presented by The WNET Group, a PBS content producer.
WATCH more videos and read articles on the Chasing the Dream Website: www.pbs.org/wnet/chasing-the-...
WATCH more videos and read articles on the Exploring Hate Website: www.pbs.org/wnet/exploring-hate/
WATCH more videos and read articles on the Peril & Promise Website: www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-pr...

[@carlotarodela1297]

Excellent history report, and I agree should be in our American history and taught in all public schools. Thank you

[@Suzi851]

YES I agree totally and it should NEVER be FORGOTTEN

[@michelej9496]

"Each one teach one." - African Proverb Learn when and wherever you can the truth.

[@justred5164]

My daughter and I were riding through Franklin township I could feel the spirits of my enslaved ancestors!😢

[@KevinETaylor]

WOW

[@carlossmall5517]

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to hear this priceless history.

[@elei417]

Thank you for sharing the history

[@rosarobinson9148]

This is so amazing 🎉🎉🎉 I'm glad to know this. It should be taught. 🎉🎉🎉

[@justred5164]

I know a family in New Brunswick with the last name of Prim. I wonder if there’s a connection to Mr. Prime.

[@rosarobinson9148]

# replay from New Jersey

[@carywest9256]

As Morgan Freeman states, there's no such thing as African-American History. It's American History, PERIOD.

[@tudy4564]

Beautifully told. This was a soul stirring documentary. Thank you!

[@yeah-wb1ci]

That slave spirit sit heavy on new jerseys I felt itvthe first time I visited

[@mollybrownuptown5849]

I'm appalled at what I missed in school, that was never taught, never. The times, they have a changed.

[@smoothoperator7023]

You should contact your school & ask them why. And ask them if they've changed the curriculum to teach true history.

[@lindahains2719]

You didn't miss it. They never taught anyone this so very important history!

[@marvellacarr8026]

Although I knew of slavery, I did not know of the horrific history of the slave trade and treatment of the slaves. The horror of breeding farms at the hands of slave owners. The photos of the KKK and THEIR CHILDREN in white sheets and pillow cases, proudly watching lynchings and professing Christianity. This history needs to be acknowledged. Thank-you.

[@jessicasmith6873]

So I should notice every black person I see and do what exactly? I think equality is ignoring them along with all the other stranger I avoid on a daily basis.

[@33Kellymc]

I had no idea Princeton University was originally named The College of NJ. We all know Trenton State was renamed to The College of NJ. Interesting. Great lesson.

[@thermionic1234567]

What’s this business about “enslaved people?” Why two words and four syllables when one is precise and piquant? Are you trying to say “their bodies were enslaved, but not their minds?” That said, good documentary despite the PC language.

[@SandfordSmythe]

A person is person. We should see see them as that first. A slave is an object and we can ignore them as being a person. It's like the parable of the "Good Samaritan", Names can blind us.

[@lesjones5684]

Go tell it to the mountain 😅😅😅😅

[@elisedespain5342]

How does this coincide with American Idian history?

[@Suzi851]

Good for Slyvia for beating a white woman her mistress.

[@Suzi851]

They would have used the native American Indians has their slaves but many native American Indians died of chicken pox and small pox so there wasn't enough of the native American Indians to be used has slaves.