Attorney Areva Martin, representing DSLUE, addresses a briefing on Feb. 8, 2024, with several descendants of individuals enslaved by Jesuits in 19th century St. Louis standing behind her. (Photo by Ulaa Kuziez). Img source: unewsonline.com/
Feb 13, 2024 Story by: Editor
ST. LOUIS — For the first time, descendants of Black individuals enslaved by St. Louis University have calculated the extent of labor and wealth stolen from their ancestors, marking another step in their persistent demand for the university to fulfill its promises of justice and accountability.
During a recent announcement, descendants, alongside Democratic state Sen. Karla May and economists, revealed that the total wealth accumulated from exploited labor, including contributions to the construction of the Jesuit institution, ranged from $361 million to over $70 billion.
Members of the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved have long been engaged in reclaiming their familial narratives, seeking broader acknowledgment and accountability from the university. Areva Martin, the lead counsel for the descendants, emphasized that while the institution has taken steps through the Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation Project (SHMRP), there remains more to be done.
“While St. Louis University’s acknowledgment of its history has been a welcome demonstration of forthrightness, acknowledgments do not make my clients whole,” Martin stated. “I look forward to working with university leadership to come up with a plan to compensate the descendants for what they are rightfully owed.”
Robin Proudie, executive director and founder of Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved, traces her lineage to Henrietta Mills, enslaved by the Jesuits in St. Louis. Proudie has dedicated years to piecing together her family’s story, highlighting Mills’ experiences. Documents reveal that Mills was 16 years old when she married Charles Chauvin, listed as a “slave of St. Louis University.”
“Our ancestors deserve to be taken from the darkness and brought into the light,” Proudie asserted, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring their identities. Source: PBS News Hour
Democratic state Sen. Karla May echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for proper acknowledgment and commemoration of the enslaved individuals who contributed to the university’s development.
“St. Louis University has a chance to do something positive by properly acknowledging the tragic history,” May stated. “The beginning of trying to make this right is saying the names of the enslaved so that we may never forget them.”
In response, St. Louis University spokesperson Clayton Berry acknowledged the urgency expressed by the descendant community. He acknowledged the university’s slow progress in reconciling with its history of slavery and pledged to continue efforts toward reconciliation and engagement with descendant families.
