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How the Word Is Passed

Three-Sentence Summary

  1. "How the Word Is Passed" is a compelling exploration of how different sites across America remember and reckon with their relationship to slavery.
  2. The author, Clint Smith, takes readers on a journey from Monticello plantation to Angola Prison, examining how these historical sites contribute to our understanding of America's racial history.
  3. The book challenges preconceived notions about race and slavery in America, urging readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of our collective past.

Extended Summary

"How the Word Is Passed" is an enlightening account of America's relationship with its history of slavery. The book examines this complex issue through the lens of several key historic sites - Monticello plantation, Angola Prison, Blandford Cemetery for Confederate Soldiers, the Whitney Plantation Museum in Louisiana and New York’s Wall Street among others.

Clint Smith delves into a critical analysis of how these locations interpret and present their ties to slavery. He uncovers stories that reveal a pattern of selective memory and purposeful forgetfulness that often typifies mainstream narratives about America's racial past.

At Monticello, for instance, Smith highlights how Thomas Jefferson's life as a slave owner is often overshadowed by his role as a founding father. At Angola Prison in Louisiana - once a slave plantation and now one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the U.S - he draws chilling parallels between historical enslavement and contemporary mass incarceration.

Smith skillfully weaves together history, reportage, personal narrative and critical analysis to challenge long-held myths about American history. His insightful exploration reveals many uncomfortable truths - that America's past is deeply intertwined with slavery, and its legacies continue to shape the present.

Key Points

  1. "How the Word Is Passed" challenges conventional narratives about American history by highlighting how various historic sites interpret and remember their ties to slavery.
  2. It uncovers patterns of selective memory and purposeful forgetfulness in mainstream historical narratives.
  3. The book draws parallels between historical enslavement and contemporary issues like mass incarceration.
  4. It urges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America's racial past and its ongoing impact on the present.

Who Should Read

"How the Word Is Passed" is ideally suited for readers interested in American history, particularly those seeking to understand the complex legacy of slavery in America. Scholars of racial justice, social activists, educators, as well as general readers looking to challenge their understanding of America's past will find this book valuable.

About the Author

Clint Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the poetry collection Counting Descent, which won the 2017 Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award. He has received fellowships from New America, Cave Canem Foundation, and Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

Further Reading