![]() ![]() "She for her own freedom and the freedom of her family, and she will certainly be enshrined in history as a freedom fighter," Johnson said. She noted that LeCompte began her quest for her freedom in 1827, based on Missouri law known as "once free, always free." LeCompte persisted for 12 years through appeals and multiple owners, one of whom was Bishop Rosati, before she finally won her freedom in 1839. ![]() ![]() "She actually, quite literally, embodied our mission and, in fact, better than those who promulgated the mission," Johnson says. Valerie Johnson, associate professor of political science and interim associate provost of diversity, equity and inclusion, spoke about the incredible character and will of Aspasia LeCompte. "It's through the little scraps of this record keeping that we've managed to build up a sense of who some of the were and the lives they led." "The financial records are what we spent most of our time looking at in the archives, here, right down the hall," Storey said. It just means the dynamic was slightly different," Storey said.īecause the Catholic Church cared about the sacramental lives of the people they held in bondage, they kept marriage, baptism, death and, importantly, financial records. "This does not necessarily make slavery 'better' or less severe. The Vincentians practiced this kind of slaveholding. In Missouri, the slave holdings were smaller than in the deep South, and enslaved people could be hired out to others, worked on farms or in homes or engaged in various types of skilled labor. Storey described the lived experience of the people enslaved by the Vincentians in Missouri in the 1800s. "That way, we can do the copying and scanning, interpreting, writing and storytelling over and over again until it sticks to the present and is secured for the future." "We have to commit the time and gain the institutional support for the task of recovery," Pierce said. In the case of the Vincentians, the record was there, but having the proof is only one small part. Pierce reminded the audience that it can be a daunting task to recover pieces of the past from a record incomplete because information was lost, destroyed or never recorded in the first place. Lori Pierce, associate professor in the Department of African and Black Diaspora Studies, and Margaret Storey, professor of history and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, shared how they uncovered the history of Vincentian slaveholding. Members of the task force also spoke during the event. She also expressed hope and gratitude for the task force and their work: "I am excited that a Black woman is becoming central to our collective ethos and the naming of campus spaces, in honor of her fight, her struggle, her resilience and her victory to become free and to help free others." Provost Salma Ghanem recognized the many emotions of those present, from sadness to humility. The task force also unveiledĪ new website, where visitors can learn more about this history. The event was the culmination of more than two years of research and work by faculty and staff on the task force to address the Vincentians' relationship with slavery. Richardson Library and the Belden-Racine residence hall. On May 18, DePaul University gathered for the renaming of two campus spaces in LeCompte's honor: Room 300 in the John T. Bishop Joseph Rosati, C.M., one of the founders of the Vincentian Mission in the United States, was one of the Vincentians who enslaved LeCompte. Through determination, solidarity and use of the courts, LeCompte and five of her family members obtained their freedom. Students play with reality in new virtual and augmented design labĪspasia LeCompte and her family were held in bondage by Vincentian priests in Missouri in the early 19th century.University announces student speakers for 2018 commencement.Ending street homelessness around the world.DePaul among first to offer critical ethnic studies graduate program.College of Law faculty and staff honored.African and Black Diaspora Program elevated to a department.Faculty staff and students train for CQP.TEDxDePaulUniversity 2018 videos available.Alumni found love on campus created childrens book.SNL annual awards celebrate excellence and achievement.DePaul honors the Rev John T Richardson.University to celebrate Special Olympics.Diversity groups celebrate 2018 graduates.From the president: Celebrate DePaul’s fifth Blue Demon Week. ![]() How to celebrate Chinese New Year like a pro.DePaul University ranks #11 among Peace Corps top universities. ![]()
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