FAQ's
Coming to the Table FAQ’s
What is CTTT?
Coming to the Table (CTTT) is a program dedicated to acknowledging, understanding and healing the persistent wounds of the U.S. institution of race-based slavery. Our program is non-partisan, multi-faith, multi-cultural and multi-generational.
How did CTTT get started?
Coming to the Table was founded by descendants of both slaveholders and enslaved people in partnership with the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA.
What is the story of the name?
We are inspired by the call of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his historic March on Washington speech that “the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood*.”
What is the mission of CTTT?
We seek to acknowledge, understand and heal the persistent wounds of the institution of slavery and its aftermath. We strive for racial reconciliation and a more unified, just and truthful society.
Is CTTT only for people who are descendants of people who were enslaved and slaveholders?
No. Everyone who honestly wants to engage this conversation in a respectful way is encouraged to participate. Since slavery and its legacy deeply shaped economic development in this country as well as the ongoing stigmas attached to skin color, most people in America have been impacted. There are many people who are unable to trace their ancestry and others whose families immigrated very recently. All are welcome.
What is CTTT trying to accomplish?
We are opening up a conversation about the legacy of slavery and how it continues to impact Americans and the society in which we live. We hope to encourage this conversation within families, communities and ultimately the entire nation. We believe this is a first step toward healing.
What does CTTT actually do?
The program is committed to achieving its goals through research, relationship building, information sharing, community projects and training. We create opportunities for people who want to overcome the legacy of slavery to come together, share their stories, build relationships and think through how to address the current harms that are part of the legacies of slavery.
Do you have a specific process or approach?
Our approach is summed up in four stages: History, Healing, Connection and Action. These stages are not necessarily sequential. From an individual to a national level, we think they are all essential elements in the healing process.
Slavery and its legacies FAQ’s
Slavery was a long time ago, why should people talk about it now?
Because slavery was so pervasive for such a long period of time and had such a profound influence on the economic and social life of most Americans. Slavery and its aftermath included laws, attitudes and beliefs that existed for centuries, encouraging segregation and discrimination based on skin color throughout the north and south well into the 1960’s. Many of those attitudes, beliefs and behavior continue even today. Going back to the past helps us grasp the bigger picture and explains how we got on the path we’re on.
What are some examples of the current impacts of slavery and its legacy?
Segregated towns and communities; disparities in educational opportunities, health care, incarceration rates and economic status; fear; prejudice; disconnected families; abuse and emotional isolation.
Why would people want to talk about slavery?
Better understanding of oneself, family and community
Some people want to understand what happened, how they’ve been impacted and piece together the story of their family and nation. Because of the shame, guilt and pain associated with conversations about slavery and discrimination, it’s often not talked about. But what we’ve been finding is that it’s actually been strengthening, healing, and grounding for people to talk about it. The unopened closet is actually scarier than the skeleton. For people who are making connections with a linked descendant, there is also the possibility of the positive experience of expanding one’s family. People report that grace, forgiveness, reconciliation and undertaking joint action to address the current harms have been part of their experiences.
Creating a new legacy for future generations
A number of people who have engaged the Coming to the Table process do so for future generations. Patterns of discrimination and violence associated with the trauma of slavery and its aftermath are passed down from generation to generation unless the patterns are addressed and stopped or healed.
Understanding our national history and identity
Another reason people want to talk about the legacy of slavery is to get a bigger sense of who we are as a nation. Many people receive limited information about American history, particularly as it applies to slavery. Incorrect information is pervasive in books, films and historic materials. Many people are motivated to hold up their identity group by selectively sharing facts or completely misrepresenting them. By bringing together perspectives of those who are descendants of enslaved people and slaveholders, more understanding is created.
How can people get involved with CTTT?
Visit our website.
Our website includes links to articles, books, films and organizations that are useful in better understanding slavery and its legacy. There are genealogical guides that are designed to help people get started on their own research as well as guides on how to contact potential linked descendants and talk with family members. The website also includes a password protected community where stories can be shared and networking can take place. This is open to all who are willing to respect the guidelines of community interaction.
Attend an Event or Training
We are hosting events and workshops in different parts of the country that explore the CTTT approach in more depth. Our website will include announcements of events we host as well as activities hosted by others that we think are useful to the CTTT community.
Invite CTTT to your Community
Trained facilitators are available on a limited basis to work with local community organizations to help facilitate CTTT community discussions. Guides are coming soon that will be available through our website about building conversations in your own community.
