On the heels of their apology for slavery Virginia is basking in their own glory celebrating their 400th anniversary. But as the Godspeed sailed down the JamesRiver and activities commenced around the state there are some who stand tall in their opposition of the celebration. Local activitst and founder of Happily Natural Day in Richmond, VA wrote an open letter to Richmond.com, "2007 marks the 400 year “celebration” of the founding of Jamestown, VA and the organizers of Happily Natural Day question the legitimacy of celebrating the oppression, exploitation and enslavement of indigenous people especially when the residual effects of this history still affects people in a negative way." There are even shirts circulating with the words, "tell the truth about Jamestown celebrating 400 years of slavery and genocide.
Jamestown was founded in 1607, the first enslaved African set foot on the shores of Virgina in 1619, in 1662 slavery was recognized as law in the colony and from there then the institution of slavery would continue in Virginia until 1865. Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and Virginia's recent apology have not eliminated racism nor are there no complaints about inequality. So, is there some legitimate complaint about Jamestown celebration?
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