A review by vivamonty
Help Me to Find My People: The African American Search for Family Lost in Slavery by Heather Andrea Williams

4.0

What an incredibly moving book. 'Help Me to Find My People' examines the horrors of American slavery through the specific topic of the forced separation of families. The book is rife with vivid primary sources and testimonies of former slaves who had been torn asunder from their loved ones. The later chapters focus on post-war reunion efforts, specifically through newspaper advertisements seeking information regarding long-lost relations. There's also some interesting analysis of how white masters perceived slave relationships and why they were rarely hesitant to destroy them.

Slavery and racism will forever be the dark, indelible scar on America's face. Reading a book like this only further drives that important lesson home.