@samiathestoryteller: 250 years of “freedom.” For many Americans, this anniversary is a celebration. For me, it’s a reminder of a contradiction that’s impossible to ignore. It’s difficult to celebrate a historic moment when millions of people were enslaved, excluded, or denied the very freedoms being commemorated. These restored photos belong to people who lived somewhere within that contradiction. So this work isn’t about celebration. It’s about remembrance. It’s about making space for the people who were excluded from the promise, but still shaped the country being celebrated today. May we never forget the truth, the history, and the sacrifices of our ancestors whose lives made America’s story possible. Song by @missjillscott

lavidadelozier2 :

The letters "VBM" branded on a slave refer to the initials of Volsey B. Marmillion. Marmillion was an enslaver and sugar planter whose plantation was located about 45 miles above New Orleans, Louisiana, during the 19th century.These initials were permanently burned onto the forehead of an enslaved man named Wilson Chinn. Chinn was an escaped enslaved person who later became widely known in 1863 after abolitionists and Union forces photographed him. The harrowing photograph, which documented his branded forehead, punishment collar, and iron shackles, was widely circulated to expose the physical torture and brutality of American slavery.

Ashley.INK :

🥹🥺I love you my sweet ancestors You didn’t deserve it. Thank you for your prayers for our future. ✨✨

Adventures4Beginners :

This is part of the reason why July 4 is Succession Day, not Independence Day. Many people in the USA are still fighting for their freedom and equality.

Issac :

Man this makes my heart hurt!

FelixtheKat :

May their souls rest n may their generational offspring heal in every lifetime

Dria :

I want to thank my ancestors for having the strength to survive such an extremely hard life so that I’m able to exist today FREE!

Akenor :

Lord... this is hard to watch but it's so necessary. I don't think a lot of people understand how this era traumatizes us even now. 🥺😓

IDontGiveADamn :

whew our people have gone through so much🥺🥺

kiywana :

Thankyou to each and every one of you, we know the truth,and we love you all wholeheartedly 🙏🏽

Tiffany Holloway :

I love what you did here. They’re just not some faded pictures of our ancestors. They are people I see everyday. I can touch the pain. It makes it even more relatable. 🥺🫶🏾

Natural.B :

It will forever be that deep 🫶🏾

Adara Nitza :

May their souls rest in peace, thank you

appleuser77923318 :

I’m forever grateful for their sacrifices

DaReal_AniBae 🩵 :

Immensely grateful for my black ancestors and all they endured 💛 love them eternally

YahsharahalWarrior :

Dear Ancestors; Thank you for standing strong. We will never forget

Serene :

THIS is not talked about enough. In this 250th celebration. THIS ugly history is not talked about enough. Happening still to this present day. These lyrics are phenomenal 🙌🏽❤️

🧟𝖍𝖆𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉𝔥𝔬𝔯𝔯𝔬𝔯🦇 :

I think it’s so important that we see these pictures beyond just in black-and-white because in color they look like our cousins our grandfather’s our father‘s mothers and siblings. we’ve been so desensitized.

PATricast :

May those who suffer know true peace, happiness, compassion, and kindness.

A-Town :

This is so powerful. Thank you for sharing it.

ItsRayJane :

there is a rage in me that FEEEEEELSSSS AND NEVER STOPS FEEELINNNNNG!

Mrs.K :

This makes me cry 😢

Maka Michelle :

Wow this is powerful🥺

taneshalgmailcomk :

Andrea Venus :

I feel sick looking at this 🥺