Editorial: Rotherwood reunion marks a step toward healing

According to Pew Research, "Knowing your ancestors were slaves can have a profound impact on personal identity, often leading to a deeper connection to African heritage, a sense of responsibility to learn about the history of slavery, and a desire to understand the complex legacy of racial injustice, while also potentially bringing up feelings of grief, anger, and a sense of loss due to the disrupted family lineages caused by enslavement; for many African Americans, this knowledge can be a powerful motivator to explore their family history and advocate for social change."Thus, the weekend meeting of descendants of those who owned Rotherwood Mansion in Kingsport during that period and of slaves who were forced to live and work there, involved very powerful emotions — including a lot of courage.And what a lesson this meeting offers at a time when America is split by social and political divisiveness.The gathering was held at Rotherwood, was not open for the public, and about 125 were expected to attend, including Rotherwood descendant Tacia Green."We already moved on, but have we truly moved on?" Green asked. "We can't forget our past but we don't always have to live in our past."Rotherwood was a plantation, and its main house was Rotherwood Mansion, descendant Calvin Sneed stated.It was built by Frederick A. Ross and was later passed to Joshua Phipps, who was said to be cruel to those enslaved to him.Green said she hoped the event would bring peace and healing between the families.Green organized the get-together. She came across the Rotherwood Mansion Facebook page and contacted current owner Lanita Thibault, who said she would be happy if Green organized an event at the property."So I put it out there," Green said. "And, surprisingly, everybody was coming on board excited."She said the event would not necessarily bring closure, as that part of American history can never be closed, but could bring peace to the families."I hope that the young people that are there to learn, not only the descendants of the enslaved, but the descendants of the owners, that our young people can see the harmony that we're trying to portray, that none of us was actually there," Green said."And yes, we were done wrong as the enslaved, but in 2024, we can't blame anyone that's living. And let's give anyone the opportunity to own up that 'Hey, my family did wrong, can we make amends?'"Green said she hopes people take away "peace, love and history, love for each other and love for the true history."These events are being held across the country, and what a contrast they provide to the hate and violence of the past, and the present.We join others in applauding this initiative for its endeavor to heal, and bring communities together.Rotherwood descendant Tacia Green organized the get-together with the hope the event would bring peace and healing between the families.