Fact Check: Harvard's History Includes Enslaved Labor in Campus Buildings and Among Its Leaders
What We Know
A comprehensive report by the Presidential Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery reveals that Harvard University has deep historical ties to slavery, including the enslavement of individuals by its leaders and the use of enslaved labor on campus. The report indicates that more than 70 people were enslaved by Harvard presidents, faculty, and staff during the 17th and 18th centuries, a time when slavery was legal in Massachusetts (Harvard Gazette, Washington Post). This history is intertwined with the university's financial growth, as many of its early benefactors derived their wealth from slave-related industries, including sugar and cotton (New York Times).
The report, which took nearly two and a half years to compile, emphasizes that the legacy of slavery has shaped Harvard's institutional policies and practices, contributing to a long-standing exclusion of African American students and the promotion of discriminatory ideologies (Radcliffe Institute). Additionally, the findings highlight that while Harvard has made strides toward inclusivity, the effects of its historical ties to slavery continue to resonate in contemporary society (Harvard Gazette).
Analysis
The evidence presented in the report is robust and well-documented, drawing from extensive archival research across multiple institutions, including Harvard's own libraries (Radcliffe Institute). The report's findings are corroborated by various reputable sources, including major news outlets like the Washington Post and the New York Times, which have reported on the implications of Harvard's historical entanglements with slavery.
The committee's work is led by credible scholars, including Tomiko Brown-Nagin, a legal scholar and historian, which adds to the reliability of the findings (Harvard Gazette). Furthermore, the report's acceptance by Harvard President Larry Bacow indicates institutional acknowledgment of these historical truths, which is a significant step toward addressing the university's past (Harvard Gazette).
While the report presents a troubling history, it also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black leaders and abolitionists associated with Harvard, which provides a more nuanced understanding of the university's legacy (Radcliffe Institute). This dual focus on both the harm caused by slavery and the resistance against it enhances the credibility of the report.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Harvard's history includes enslaved labor in campus buildings and among its leaders" is substantiated by extensive research and credible sources. The findings of the Presidential Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery clearly document the university's historical ties to slavery, including the enslavement of individuals by its leaders and the use of enslaved labor on campus. The acknowledgment of this history by Harvard's administration further solidifies the truth of this claim.
Sources
- Slavery probe: Harvard's ties inseparable from rise
- Introduction and Findings | Radcliffe Institute for Advanced ...
- Harvard leaders and staff enslaved 79 people, university ...
- The Major Findings of Harvard's Report on Its Ties to Slavery
- Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He ...
