City Of Alexandria | City Of Alexandria website
City Of Alexandria | City Of Alexandria website
The Alexandria City Restoration Project (ACRP) is pleased to announce the upcoming Tables of Conscience book-themed dinners, aimed at raising funds for the 2024 scholarships established in honor of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas. These dinners will be held in January and February, with the goal of raising the required amount by March 1, 2024, to award two $3,000 scholarships to African American students at Alexandria City High School.
Three dedicated ACRP members have generously volunteered to host these intimate dinners in their homes, accommodating 8-12 guests from 6-9 p.m. To participate, individuals can select one of the following books from the list and purchase a $125 ticket through the Office of Historic Alexandria's online ticket system. A week before the event, ticket holders will receive an email containing the name and address of their designated host.
The chosen books for the Tables of Conscience dinners are as follows:
1. Slavery By Another Name, the Reenslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, By Douglas A. Blackmon.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history sheds light on the unsettling truth that emerged after the Civil War. Journalist Douglas A. Blackmon uncovers the stories of African Americans who were forced back into involuntary servitude through selective enforcement of laws and discriminatory sentencing. The book exposes the exploitative practices of companies and governments, including Alexandria, which profited from the labor of those accused and convicted of petty crimes.
2. It's the Little Things, Everyday Interactions that Anger, Annoy and Divide the Races, By Lena Williams.
Written by New York Times journalist Lena Williams, this book serves as a platform for addressing the racial divide that still persists in our society. Williams explores the everyday interactions between Black and white individuals that can lead to misunderstandings and resentment. By highlighting these issues, the book encourages a deeper understanding and the eradication of common tensions faced by both communities.
3. The Half That Has Never Been Told: Slavery and American Capitalism, by Edward E. Baptist.
In this thought-provoking work, Edward E. Baptist presents a radical interpretation of American history, placing slavery at the heart of the nation's political and economic development. Baptist demonstrates how slavery played a significant role in transforming the United States into a modern, industrial, capitalist nation. Through survivor testimonies, political accounts, and plantation records, Baptist humanizes those who were enslaved and exposes the brutal realities they endured.
For those unable to attend the dinners, there is still an opportunity to support the Memorial Scholarships by making a donation through the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria. Every contribution counts towards providing educational opportunities for deserving African American students.
To request disability accommodations or alternative formats, please contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554. Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.
Join us in this meaningful endeavor to promote racial justice and provide educational support to African American students in Alexandria. Purchase your ticket today and engage in enlightening discussions at the Tables of Conscience book-themed dinners. Let us come together to bridge the racial divide and create a more inclusive community.
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This release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/5274.
To find out more, go to this link: https://www.alexandriava.gov/news-oha/2023-12-11/tables-of-conscience-dinners-january-13-february-3-february-10
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