The legacy of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is a brutal, inhumane and immoral stain on the history of the U.S. and the collective history of humankind. The horrors of the Middle Passage, during which thousands died, and the inhumanity of American slavery cannot be forgotten or ignored.

Nor can we forget the countless unsung heroes whose actions to abolish slavery saved lives and laid the foundation for emancipation. These slaves, abolitionists and activists should be honored for their bravery and moral courage.