Reckoning with Racial Covenants

[The workshop] has impacted me a lot personally because I am looking deeper into my family history, praising my ancestors for fighting to be treated equally, and taking a stance for justice and equity for the generations to come.

I knew the covenants existed but I wanted the opportunity to read the actual text and see how they were placed onto deeds. As I drive/walk/explore around Durham, I can see the impact of the covenants with more clarity.

[Attending the workshop] seemed like a way I could actually contribute to an important effort to document and raise awareness about the legacy of systemic racism, right here in Durham … It definitely impacted how I personally saw Durham.

I was really excited to see the collective of people and organizations that were behind the event. I am part of an ally committee at work and I could share the project there to find out if there are ways my organization could follow the example set by Hacking Into History.

The workshop impacted me personally in a profound way in hearing and sharing the impact of these policies on our lives and having others understand and validate that experience…

…personally it makes me consider more deeply the barriers for Black folks to build generational wealth. These barriers were created by white people.

[The workshop] has made me more personally aware of the extent to which segregation was inserted into all aspects of life during Jim Crow and how in property transactions, exclusion of Black people during Jim Crow fueled economic disparities.

I have been impacted both professionally and personally. Personally, to understand more the reason for wealth inequality; professionally to rethink how to teach my students about the history of wealth creation.

[The workshop] will change the way I see neighborhoods here and contribute valuable information for a related photojournalism lesson.

I feel more confident in including examples of Redlining in Durham in a more personal level rather than broad numbers.

I knew it was going to be upsetting and frustrating, but I was surprised by how hopeful I felt leaving the session.

I think this work is an important reminder of how things that may seem distant and/or technically legally obsolete are still having a very real impact on all of our lives both personally and professionally.

I feel more connected to the history and with power to help to change and categorize the history as an active learner and make changes.

As an archivist, being given the opportunity to view and work with primary sources on such an intimate level always reminds me how important it is to not only save our records (history), but to also make them discoverable in order to understand and reckon with the past. The injustices of the past must be told and must be made accessible.

The workshop demonstrated a form of well-run and rewarding knowledge work employment. I was very inspired by all the coworkers on this project who took the time to share their expertise with us.