In what seems to be an unprecedented event Harvard University has pledged 100 million dollars for its new Legacy of Slavery Fund. The University has plans to spotlight the injustices that the school was built upon, and they look to rectify its past going forward.
Harvard University has come forward with a 134 page report titled Harvard and the legacy of slavery. This documents all the men and women impacted by the University´s past as well as members of Harvard who partook in these disgraceful acts.
Most prominently key figures of Harvard´s past such as Presidents and Donors have been identified as slave owners; enslaving young black children and forcing them to work at the University. Their connection to the University has been glorified in the past. For Instance William Brattle´s paintings can still be seen inside Harvard, even though he was a prominent slave owner.
This is where the 100 million dollars comes into play. Harvard wishes to remove any and all physical traces to slave owners in the past, such as removing art, plaques, monuments and everything in between.
Harvard also wishes to find the descendants of those who faced injustices on their campus and offer them reparations as an apology. As well as build new monuments that put their evil past in the forefront to symbolize what the school wishes to be the opposite of.
Perhaps most importantly Harvard is going to start an exchange program which will involve students and teachers at predominantly black colleges. This will allow them to use the resources they may not have, and for Harvard to learn about more cultural differences and traditions. This will give both sides new opportunities to learn and build an important connection.