The Black Seminarians Union with co-sponsors of Student Services, the Dean's Office, and the Office of Black Church Studies premiered a documentary showing of Traces of the Trade; A Story from the Deep North. We learned about one film-maker who discovers her New England ancestors were the largest slave-holding family in US history and in the process, gains a powerful perspective on the black/white divide. The guest speakers, Dain and Constance Perry, led a thought provoking discussion on the piece. Students also openly expressed their deepest feelings about the film, and their experience with race.
About Constance and Dain:
Constance is a self-employed national consultant, working in economically disadvantaged communities specializing in workforce and community development, and is a skilled trainer and facilitator. She is an active member of the Episcopal Church and sits on a number of diocesan committees. Although born and raised in Boston, Constance is a descendant of slaves in North Carolina. She and her husband, Dain Perry, live in Boston, and work together as a team to bring the film to Episcopal congregations and dioceses, as well as to schools.
Dain participated in the documentary along with his brother, Jim, and nephew, James (below). He grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. He now lives in Boston and is recently retired. During the 1970s, he worked for a non-profit agency that promoted reform in the criminal justice system, particularly prison reform. Dain has been a member of his church vestry and has been an active volunteer in his community for many years, including serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.
The event was held at Duke Divinity School on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM in Westbrook 0016
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