The Silent Tree: Our Family From Slavery To Reparations

The weight of generational hardships carried by enslaved peoples and their descendants is a heavy burden to bear in one’s lineage. As a white woman who descended from enslaver families, Carol Slayden Arnold devoted her time and resources to uncovering the connection between her White Slayden ancestors who were slave owners and the Black Slayden descendants, who were enslaved. The Silent Tree: Our Family From Slavery To Reparations offers a detailed historical account that traces the author's travels through various states, exploring the intertwined histories of Black and White families with the surnames "Slayden" or ”Slaton” pre-Civil War era to the mid-20th century. With contributor Cheryl Morrow Russell, Arnold shares a nuanced view of African American individuals who shared her family’s heritage. Arnold learned about his family's deep roots in Meriwether County, Georgia, where enslaved ancestors endured segregation, racial violence, and economic ​challenges, such as broken promises like "Forty Acres and a Mule," sharecropping, tenant farming, the Great Migration, and more. The narratives delve into the impact of systemic racism, the complexities of race relations, and the ongoing repercussions of slavery on individuals and communities.

Racial reparations continue to be controversial, with parties to the discourse at opposite ends of the argument. Through her family’s example, Slayden underscores how White supremacy was enforced through laws, social customs, and institutions. ​She explored how her own White ancestors benefited from systemic racism, segregation, and discriminatory practices that marginalized Black Americans. In contrast, Black family members faced limited job opportunities, racial violence, and segregation in schools. She highlights the significance of reparations in dismantling systems of oppression, as they promise to promote reconciliation and foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all individuals.

I read the book from my point of view as a diversity and inclusion practitioner and educator. In my work, I understand how discussions about the impacts of racism on Black Americans often center on current disparities in access to opportunities to build wealth. I appreciated how Arnold critically examined the role of Whiteness in perpetuating inequality, racial violence, and oppression throughout history. Through The Silent Tree, Arnold highlights the societal privileges afforded to white Slaydens as she tells a complex story of economic inequities rooted in systemic racial discrimination. The book would be relevant and informative for readers interested in exploring themes related to slavery, racial dynamics, power, and privilege. It would also appeal to those interested in genealogy, family history research, and understanding the complexities of race relations and the impact of systemic racism. Arnold models for white readers the need to reflect on the complexities of race relations, the legacy of Whiteness in shaping societal structures, and the need to dismantle systems of White supremacy for true equity and justice.