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

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

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  • Create Date:2021-05-11 18:30:56
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Clint Smith
  • ISBN:0316492930
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Summary

"We need this book。" Ibram X。 Kendi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to be an Anti-Racist

The Atlantic staff writer and poet Clint Smith's revealing, contemporary portrait of America as a slave owning nation


Beginning in his hometown of New Orleans, Clint Smith leads the reader on an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks—those that are honest about the past and those that are not—that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation’s collective history, and ourselves。

It is the story of the Monticello Plantation in Virginia, the estate where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing the urgent need for liberty while enslaving more than four hundred people。 It is the story of the Whitney Plantation, one of the only former plantations devoted to preserving the experience of the enslaved people whose lives and work sustained it。 It is the story of Angola, a former plantation–turned–maximum-security prison in Louisiana that is filled with Black men who work across the 18,000-acre land for virtually no pay。 And it is the story of Blandford Cemetery, the final resting place of tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers。

A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view—whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted。

Informed by scholarship and brought to life by the story of people living today, Smith’s debut work of nonfiction is a landmark of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in making sense of our country and how it has come to be。

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Reviews

Traci at The Stacks

Clint Smith can write。 This is mostly history with a little personal perspective sprinkled in。 A really approachable way to interrogate history and the ways we (mostly focused on Americans) are taught and pass on the legacy of slavery。 This is a real look at living history。 Well done。

Mrs。 Suttle

This should be required reading for every American。

Pamela

An incredible, generous book。 This is not a contemporary anti-racist book。 It goes far behind history。 How the Word Is Passed is about the experience of place, memory, and legacy。 It's about picking up facts and stories about slavery like loose threads, and weaving them into a reality with no beginning, end, or border。 I know I'm making this sound so metaphysical, but I'll show myself some grace, because I've just finished Smith's devastating, beautiful book, and as he admits, "I do not yet have An incredible, generous book。 This is not a contemporary anti-racist book。 It goes far behind history。 How the Word Is Passed is about the experience of place, memory, and legacy。 It's about picking up facts and stories about slavery like loose threads, and weaving them into a reality with no beginning, end, or border。 I know I'm making this sound so metaphysical, but I'll show myself some grace, because I've just finished Smith's devastating, beautiful book, and as he admits, "I do not yet have all the words to discuss a crime that is still unfolding。" 。。。more

Jane Aldridge

Wow。 I will be rereading this for sure。。。well-written and researched, informative, interesting and powerful。 Highly recommend!!

Maryellen Fricke

It was a good book to read from start to finish, I recommend it to anyone else。

Ash

*Goodreads Giveaway*You know, I wrote down notes while reading this book。 Paragraphs and paragraphs of how certain passages made me feel。 There was a full spectrum of emotions as I read each chapter。 It's part of why I was so slow in reading this book。 I really wanted to absorb it。 I also ended up doing a lot of research while reading this book。 Looking up places, pictures, and cities。 And I still don't really feel like I can adequately express myself in this review。 But I’ll do my best。 First, *Goodreads Giveaway*You know, I wrote down notes while reading this book。 Paragraphs and paragraphs of how certain passages made me feel。 There was a full spectrum of emotions as I read each chapter。 It's part of why I was so slow in reading this book。 I really wanted to absorb it。 I also ended up doing a lot of research while reading this book。 Looking up places, pictures, and cities。 And I still don't really feel like I can adequately express myself in this review。 But I’ll do my best。 First, Clint Smith’s writing is fantastic。 His writing style is vivid and poetic。 A lot of the time, I felt like I was standing next to him as he was describing the people or the scenery。 It was very easy to imagine what he had seen。 I really enjoy his style and look forward to reading more of his work。 I also think it was ingenious to set up each chapter by place。 It really allows the reader to have a deeper understanding of the place, the people, etc。 Also having each chapter based on various different places like Monticello, Angola prison, New York City, and even the Island of Goree in Dakar。 Smith was able to really encompass how multi-faceted slavery was to American history and how it affected other parts of the world too。 The theme of history being passed down through word of mouth was also a very important aspect to this book。 It is how history is passed but, as we can see, it can be stifled。 I really appreciated the focus on his grandparents in the epilogue and their firsthand accounts。 Often when we read about history, there can be a disconnect because what we learn feels like it happened ages ago。 Smith does a great job ending the book by saying, no。 It really wasn’t long ago。 We know people who were directly involved in these situations today。 Or we have family members who were directly affected。 There were also a lot of passages that frankly wrecked me。 Smith doesn’t shy away from the horrific history nor should he。 (view spoiler)[One example I can give is that the former owner of the Whitney Plantation, John Cummings, had a very interesting term he used。 ‘Discovered ignorance。’ Knowing about these things but at the same time realizing that you really don’t know the full depth until you discover just how unaware you are。 For example, a lot of the history I learned about slavery skimmed on just what was done to slaves。 Most of it focused on whipping and a lot of the pictures I saw were mostly of men。 While still horrific, it still seemed to tone down the torture。 Reading the chapter on how women were nothing more than ‘Good breeders’ just stopped me cold。 They were sold on their ability to have children and often they were raped by their owners and the owners would enslave their own biological children。 There were implications of women making hard decisions no person should ever have to make。 Do I want my child to live this life? Or will I end their suffering? That was just gut wrenching to read。 At that moment I had a better understanding of what John Cummings meant。 The punishments were vicious and logically I knew that。 But I was ignorant of some of the punishments and just how truly inhumane they were。 So I was shocked。 Shocked at what happened but I also thought, ‘How did I not know? How could I be unaware of something this horrific happening in my own country?’。 (hide spoiler)] I agree with Smith that people may have a hard time reckoning with history but in order to move forward, to be better, to have a brighter future, we must reckon with it。 There is a lot more that I could say about this book but instead I’ll just say: Read it。 This is exactly the kind of book we need when it comes to understanding our past and coming to terms with it。 。。。more

Jen

Dr。 Smith is the best of the best, and this book is one of the finest explorations of racism in America and the enduring trauma of slavery in our times。

Pete

This book is so beautifully written。 The stories Smith is able to tell about the places he visits—wherein narratives about our collective history of enslavement are either grappled with or ignored—are important and compelling histories。 But Smith’s choice to place himself in the narrative is what really makes this book。 Rather than telling these stories as abstractions, we the readers get an empathetic and empirical telling of what these places are like。 Smith is a poet and an historian, and I’m This book is so beautifully written。 The stories Smith is able to tell about the places he visits—wherein narratives about our collective history of enslavement are either grappled with or ignored—are important and compelling histories。 But Smith’s choice to place himself in the narrative is what really makes this book。 Rather than telling these stories as abstractions, we the readers get an empathetic and empirical telling of what these places are like。 Smith is a poet and an historian, and I’m glad he wore both hats while writing this book, rather than departing the two。 。。。more

Anna

100% worth your time。 The structure makes it very digestible with each chapter dedicated to touring a specific historical site - painting the larger picture of enslaved people's roles in American history。 Asks lots of unanswered questions as it probes how we choose to tell the history of the US。 100% worth your time。 The structure makes it very digestible with each chapter dedicated to touring a specific historical site - painting the larger picture of enslaved people's roles in American history。 Asks lots of unanswered questions as it probes how we choose to tell the history of the US。 。。。more

Michelle

Wow。 What a powerful book! I am so glad this was part of my monthly audio book subscription。 I was captivated by the words of Clint Smith from the opening prologue all the way to the final acknowledgments。This book is evidence the narrative we learned in school regarding slavery was slanted and biased。 Smith does an excellent job of peeling back the layers of slavery, including historical places of interest, philosophies, and the multigenerational impact。 This is an interesting collection of Smi Wow。 What a powerful book! I am so glad this was part of my monthly audio book subscription。 I was captivated by the words of Clint Smith from the opening prologue all the way to the final acknowledgments。This book is evidence the narrative we learned in school regarding slavery was slanted and biased。 Smith does an excellent job of peeling back the layers of slavery, including historical places of interest, philosophies, and the multigenerational impact。 This is an interesting collection of Smith’s personal history and travelogue mixed with a dissection of 400 years of history。 Smith begins chapter one at Monticello and delves into Jefferson’s dichotomy of beliefs versus practice。 Chapter two brings us to the Whitney Plantation located in southern Louisiana。 Having read this account I now plan to travel there this summer。 I’ve been to several southern plantations but never one that flips the narrative and highlights the life and culture of the slaves。Chapter three brings the reader to Angola - home of the Louisiana state penitentiary, and once home of a large plantation。 This is one of the most stomach churning accounts I’ve ever read。 Essentially we’ve just changed bondage from slavery to incarceration。 Each of the remaining chapters are just as powerful, ending with a chapter in Dakar。 This chapter was fascinating and made me think of elements of slavery I’d never before considered。 I’m so glad this book found its way to me and brought me new perspectives。 As you can tell I read this book at a much slower rate than most。 I felt the need to take my time, offer reflection, and time was needed to unlearn things I had once learned。 Now, how do we get this book added to our school curriculum? 。。。more

Arielfranchakyahoo。com

This book。 This book will change you。 Or challenge you。 Or both。 But either way, you will wind up a different person after having read it。 Thank you, Libro。fm for providing an Advance Listener Copy for educators。 Thank you, Clint Smith, for your research and your words that were honest, painful and often, at times, poetic。

Cynthia

Clint Smith is a poet and this book very much sounds like poetry。 He travels to different landmarks/places that have been significant in upholding slavery and details how it is something that is still prevalent in our society。 The parts that stuck out to me the most were the jail, which truly blows my mind, and the Confederate pride, which, again, truly blows my mind!

Smiley

This book was everything。 Meticulously researched and a beautiful narrative of the history of slavery and our country’s (lack of) reckoning with it。 I learned so much。 Plus, Clint Smith is an incredibly gifted writer。 Read this book。

Lynn Monaco

I listened to the audio version of this book (Thanks to Libro。fm for the free advance copy!)。 Clint Smith's skill as a poet reverberates throughout this book (bonus: he does the reading on the audio version!): this is a book that rewards the reader for listening。 Part travelogue, part history book; personal while at the same time wide in scope: I highly recommend this book for all Americans。 I listened to the audio version of this book (Thanks to Libro。fm for the free advance copy!)。 Clint Smith's skill as a poet reverberates throughout this book (bonus: he does the reading on the audio version!): this is a book that rewards the reader for listening。 Part travelogue, part history book; personal while at the same time wide in scope: I highly recommend this book for all Americans。 。。。more

Rebecca Graham

book is divided into an author’s note about memorializing slavery, a prologue distinguishing between history and nostalgia, chapter one on a plantation, chapter two in a prison, chapter three remembering the confederacy, chapter four on Juneteenth, chapter five on northeastern elites’ attempts to distance from slavery, chapter six on memorizing slavery in practice, and an epilogue entitled “I lived it” incorporating Smith’s own perspectives and reflections。 Smith explains: “I travel to eight pla book is divided into an author’s note about memorializing slavery, a prologue distinguishing between history and nostalgia, chapter one on a plantation, chapter two in a prison, chapter three remembering the confederacy, chapter four on Juneteenth, chapter five on northeastern elites’ attempts to distance from slavery, chapter six on memorizing slavery in practice, and an epilogue entitled “I lived it” incorporating Smith’s own perspectives and reflections。 Smith explains: “I travel to eight places in the United States as well as abroad to understand how each reckons with its relationship to the history of American slavery… a mix of plantations, prisons, cemeteries, museums, memorials, houses, historical landmarks, and cities。” Smith’s writing style is profound, and the book as a whole interrogates how and why America has a long road ahead grappling with legacies of enslavement。 extraordinary work of antiracism, history, memory, and public history 。。。more

Tanisha Felder

An absolute must read。 Reckoning with our history both known and unknown。

Carrie Honaker

Coming back for a full review because, wow!

April

This was a new type of look at the history of slavery。 Instead of a strictly historical account, it's more of an accounting of history。 How do sites associated with slavery deal with the historical significance? Well。。。 turns out in very varied ways。 Smith's is a first-hand account of visiting a number of sites that are significant in different ways: from Monticello to a Confederate cometary to a NY slave market and beyond。 Some that are pushing to round out history with the reality of slavery a This was a new type of look at the history of slavery。 Instead of a strictly historical account, it's more of an accounting of history。 How do sites associated with slavery deal with the historical significance? Well。。。 turns out in very varied ways。 Smith's is a first-hand account of visiting a number of sites that are significant in different ways: from Monticello to a Confederate cometary to a NY slave market and beyond。 Some that are pushing to round out history with the reality of slavery and some that actively avoid or cover up the history。 It's all about the narrative。 He certainly considers (in a way that attempts empathy but pushes the historical reckoning) various perspectives, focusing on the complex relationship between nostalgia, history, and memory。 A bit ironically, he acknowledges the relative failure of books to be able to reach people and have them consider history deeply。 Instead, he argues that these destinations and attractions have the ability to reach people and consider history in different, and maybe more effective, ways。 。。。more

Izabel C

I would be VERY surprised if this book didn’t win a number of awards。 Very thoughtful language throughout the book, incredible writing and imagery。 Phenomenal。 I would go so far as to say required reading for your re-education of history。 The best book I’ve read this year, and I don’t foresee it losing that title!

Cat G | _basicbookworm

This book is a must read! A book focused on questioning why as a society we have continued to memorialize slavery throughout various landmarks in the US。 As Smith explains, when writing this book “I travel to eight places in the United States as well as abroad to understand how each reckons with its relationship to the history of American slavery。” He visited a variety of landmarks: museums, cemeteries, plantations, prisons, memorials, all in different cities, and documents his experiences and h This book is a must read! A book focused on questioning why as a society we have continued to memorialize slavery throughout various landmarks in the US。 As Smith explains, when writing this book “I travel to eight places in the United States as well as abroad to understand how each reckons with its relationship to the history of American slavery。” He visited a variety of landmarks: museums, cemeteries, plantations, prisons, memorials, all in different cities, and documents his experiences and his thoughts。 The writing is phenomenal, and Smith draws you in with the narrative he weaves。 As an audiobook this was also phenomenal to hear him narrate the book himself。 His thoughtful reflections and his attention to detail make this one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read。 This book is truly incredible and I will be buying myself a physical copy to highlight and reread。Thank you to Libro。fm for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Kristen Hames

Clint Smith’s writing is obviously beautiful。 There were moments where I had to pause because I wanted to relish in his craft。 The way he weaves together the different stories of Monticello, the Whitney Plantation, Angola, Blandford Cemetary, Galveston, NY, and Goreé Island came alive for me as a reader—and the history felt urgent—like everyone needs to know and understand these stories as soon as possible。 As he writes, “Just because something is difficult to accept doesn’t mean you should refu Clint Smith’s writing is obviously beautiful。 There were moments where I had to pause because I wanted to relish in his craft。 The way he weaves together the different stories of Monticello, the Whitney Plantation, Angola, Blandford Cemetary, Galveston, NY, and Goreé Island came alive for me as a reader—and the history felt urgent—like everyone needs to know and understand these stories as soon as possible。 As he writes, “Just because something is difficult to accept doesn’t mean you should refuse to accept it。”I think this book belongs in HS ELA / Social Studies classes。 。。。more

Kirsten Foti

I have read a lot of books in the past 18 years to help me better understand and work with my students, as I am a White educator working with predominantly Black and Hispanic youth。 I have read a significant number in the past year。 THIS book is one I needed, as it filled in so many gaps, those little missing pieces that connect it all together。 C。 Smith takes us on a tour of Thomas Jefferson's plantation that focuses on Sally Hemings, a confederate soldier cemetery, an event held by generations I have read a lot of books in the past 18 years to help me better understand and work with my students, as I am a White educator working with predominantly Black and Hispanic youth。 I have read a significant number in the past year。 THIS book is one I needed, as it filled in so many gaps, those little missing pieces that connect it all together。 C。 Smith takes us on a tour of Thomas Jefferson's plantation that focuses on Sally Hemings, a confederate soldier cemetery, an event held by generations related to confederate soldiers (who see the rest of us as telling history wrong), a plantation turned prison, Galveston (where Juneteenth began), New York City (where slavery was alive and well for more than half a century), and the House of Slaves in Senegal。 He connects slavery to today, correcting information many of us learned growing up, truly showing the lasting effects upon our American society while connecting to the impact left behind in Africa。 Let's be real。 Most of us are never going to visit all these places or do all the research。 C。 Smith has done that for us。 Take advantage of his work。 。。。more

Jennifer Schultz

Read if you: Want a mesmerizing and unforgettable look at how slavery's impact continues to haunt this country。 As a Louisiana native and current Virginia resident, this immediately caught my attention。 Smith visits and talks with tour guides (and visitors) at Monticello, Whitney Plantation, Angola Prison, a Confederate graveyard (as well as a Confederate Memorial Day program, which is one of the most harrowing parts of the book), a Juneteenth celebration in Texas, and the Wall Street section of Read if you: Want a mesmerizing and unforgettable look at how slavery's impact continues to haunt this country。 As a Louisiana native and current Virginia resident, this immediately caught my attention。 Smith visits and talks with tour guides (and visitors) at Monticello, Whitney Plantation, Angola Prison, a Confederate graveyard (as well as a Confederate Memorial Day program, which is one of the most harrowing parts of the book), a Juneteenth celebration in Texas, and the Wall Street section of New York。 Readers are forced to consider both the history and parallels to current events at each landmark/event。 This is poignant, eye-opening, shameful, and necessary reading。 Librarians/booksellers: This is deeply moving and poignant。 A must-have for your contemporary issues/social justice collection。 Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

kat

So beautifully written。 To experience these places, from Smith’s research and perspective。。。 I’m just grateful I had the chance。 The audiobook is hard to put down! Thankful for this book in a time where visiting museums is difficult to do in person。 Learned and unlearned a lot。 Can’t recommend highly enough。

Brandon Westlake

Smith's book is in a class of its own。 Such an intriguing, thought-provoking analysis on the lasting legacy of enslavement and how contemporary American deals with it。 The book details Smith's visits to several sites around the country related to enslavement, from New York to Louisiana。 The strength of the book is in its accessibility。 There have been other books written on the subject, and some that Smith even mentions within the pages of this book, but some are more academic。 This book manages Smith's book is in a class of its own。 Such an intriguing, thought-provoking analysis on the lasting legacy of enslavement and how contemporary American deals with it。 The book details Smith's visits to several sites around the country related to enslavement, from New York to Louisiana。 The strength of the book is in its accessibility。 There have been other books written on the subject, and some that Smith even mentions within the pages of this book, but some are more academic。 This book manages to fuse readability with the great commentary on those issues。 For instance, Kevin Levin's book on the African American confederate myth is great research, but I don't see it being picked up by lots of casual readers and on book club lists。 This book will be and should be。 The most fascinating chapter in the book was on Angola。 As a history teacher, I have sought to make a connection between talking about enslavement, mass incarceration, and Angola; Smith provides a great overview and readable expose on the prison。 It's worth picking up the book by itself。 For many, again, this will not be new information, but it is presented in a personable way that will allow for conversation and reflection。 Smith does a great job explaining how people's emotions still carry weight regarding policy and attitudes in American society。 He makes clear the long-term impact of such a horrible institution that after reading it is impossible to say that "it's time to move on" 。。。more

Trey

This is a must-read on the history of slavery, how that history is told, and how we interact with it。 Go pre-order it。 I got an ALC from libro。fm for being an educator。Something that struck me is how humanizing the book is。 Everyone he interacts with, even those with whom he disagrees, are beautifully described。 His language constantly reminds the reader of the humanity of everyone: those enslaved, founding fathers, and those he interviewed。This focus on humanity breeds both empathy and complexi This is a must-read on the history of slavery, how that history is told, and how we interact with it。 Go pre-order it。 I got an ALC from libro。fm for being an educator。Something that struck me is how humanizing the book is。 Everyone he interacts with, even those with whom he disagrees, are beautifully described。 His language constantly reminds the reader of the humanity of everyone: those enslaved, founding fathers, and those he interviewed。This focus on humanity breeds both empathy and complexity。 When we see Jefferson as human, we see his deep faults for what they were and can hold that to account in our history。 When we view those enslaved as human, we really feel the deep injustice and tragedy of slavery。 。。。more

Jamie

In How the Word is Passed, Clint Smith visits historical sites that hold importance to the way we craft stories about slavery in this country (and beyond)。 Beginning in New Orleans and the Monticello plantation, he considers how the legacy of Thomas Jefferson still needs to be critically examined, and the unwilling of so many to complicate the narrative。 His visit to Angola Prison reveals the replication of slavery and Jim Crow laws。 At Whitney Plantation, he considers how the function of a plan In How the Word is Passed, Clint Smith visits historical sites that hold importance to the way we craft stories about slavery in this country (and beyond)。 Beginning in New Orleans and the Monticello plantation, he considers how the legacy of Thomas Jefferson still needs to be critically examined, and the unwilling of so many to complicate the narrative。 His visit to Angola Prison reveals the replication of slavery and Jim Crow laws。 At Whitney Plantation, he considers how the function of a plantation can change the narrative, while also questioning how the pressures of society and funding affect such a project。 He wrestles with New York’s history in slavery and visits a confederate gathering。 Traveling all the way to Goreè Island, the persistence of a European gaze on the history of enslavement in Senegal frames the experience of young Senegalese students reckoning with this history and the tourist destination/experience the buildings that held the enslaved。What makes this book different and necessary is that Smith approaches storytelling with the deftness of a poet, immersing the reader in the physical and emotional detail of each of his visits。 He critically examines who is telling what story: from the way they are dressed, to the specific language they use, to they way others react to them。 He doesn’t take personal distance from any of these descriptions, rather, he demonstrates how history is an embodied experience through these descriptions and his own response to them。 He allows us to follow the connections he makes from his scholarly training to other historical contexts as well moments of personal connection。 It’s deeply moving, bringing the complex and violent history of enslavement into today’s context。 。。。more

Cecil

Clint Smith is a poet, and his prose has a flow and beauty not found in most non-fiction。 Granted, I did start making a guessing game of how he would describe someone’s voice or the color of their skin but, as a whole, his descriptive talents added additional depth to an already gripping narrative。 This is an important book for anyone who grapples with the question of whether what we have been taught in our schools about the reality of slavery and its continued effect on our country is the truth Clint Smith is a poet, and his prose has a flow and beauty not found in most non-fiction。 Granted, I did start making a guessing game of how he would describe someone’s voice or the color of their skin but, as a whole, his descriptive talents added additional depth to an already gripping narrative。 This is an important book for anyone who grapples with the question of whether what we have been taught in our schools about the reality of slavery and its continued effect on our country is the truth。 It is also a terrific companion volume to Tony Horowitz’s “Confederates in the Attic,” about those Southern whites who are still fighting their war, and Connor Towne O’Neill’s “Down Along With That Devil’s Bones,” about the debate over the existence of monuments to Confederate leaders and soldiers。 Highly recommended。 。。。more

Andréa

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss。

Emily Rheault

This book was interesting and easy to read。 While it didn’t have any groundbreaking history, it provides a good survey of the history of slavery in the United States and why that history matters。 It did leave me wondering who its audience is。