Love Cemetery: Unburying The Secret History Of Slaves

Once hidden beneath an overgrown wilderness, Love Cemetery holds the stories of the forgotten. Nestled in the heart of America, this sacred ground is a testament to the resilience and strength of enslaved Africans who faced unimaginable struggles during their lives. This article delves into the captivating journey of unearthing the secrets buried within Love Cemetery, shedding light on a dark chapter of our history.

Love Cemetery, situated in the quiet town of Jefferson, Texas, was originally established around 1867 by the African American community. It became a final resting place for former slaves and their descendants. Over the years, neglect and abandonment took their toll, transforming the once-tended land into an overgrown jungle.

Local historian, Linda Love-Hollins, stumbled upon the cemetery in 1993 while researching her family tree. Deeply moved by the neglected state of the burial ground, she embarked on a personal mission to restore, preserve, and honor the heritage etched upon those forgotten gravestones. With limited funds and an unwavering determination, Love-Hollins rallied the support of local communities and organizations to breathe life back into Love Cemetery.

Love Cemetery: Unburying the Secret History of Slaves

by China Galland(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1470 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

FREE

The restoration efforts uncovered an astounding revelation – the rich and hidden history of enslaved individuals who toiled on the plantations that once dotted the area. The tombstones, moss-covered and worn, told stories of strength, resilience, and unimaginable pain. As Love-Hollins pieced together the fragments of this forgotten past, a narrative emerged that demanded to be shared with the world.

Through careful research and interviews with descendants, Love-Hollins discovered the names and stories of those buried in Love Cemetery. Each grave told a tale of heartache and triumph, revealing the harsh realities these individuals faced on a daily basis, from the cruel institution of slavery to the challenges encountered during the Reconstruction era.

The journey to unbury the secret history of slaves buried in Love Cemetery was not without hurdles. Funding was a constant obstacle, and volunteers had to brave the hazards of the overgrown wilderness to safely restore the tombstones. However, Love-Hollins' unwavering determination and fervent belief in the importance of preserving this vital part of American history spurred her onward.

As news of Love Cemetery's revival spread, community members, both black and white, joined the cause. Each individual recognized the significance of acknowledging the past and honoring those who were once marginalized and silenced. The once-forgotten burial ground became a symbol of unity, attracting people from all walks of life who were passionate about preserving our shared heritage.

Love Cemetery now stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of the African American community and a reminder of the importance of recognizing the often-unheard stories of the past. With its restoration, a once-overgrown wasteland was transformed into a place of remembrance and healing.

Visitors to Love Cemetery are greeted by carefully tended tombstones and lush greenery. The graves tell stories of brave men and women who fought for freedom and dignity in the face of unimaginable cruelty. The names etched in stone serve as a reminder of the lives lost and the struggles endured, ensuring that their legacy lives on.

Love Cemetery, with its unburying of the secret history of slaves, serves as a beacon of hope and perseverance. It stands as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed in the past and a call to action to never forget the injustices that were inflicted upon generations of people. By preserving and sharing this history, Love Cemetery invites us all to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate future.

Love Cemetery: Unburying the Secret History of Slaves

by China Galland(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1470 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

FREE

One woman’s struggle to restore an old slave cemetery uncovers centuries-old racism

When China Galland visited her childhood hometown in east Texas, she learned of an unmarked cemetery for slaves-Love Cemetery. Her ensuing quest to restore and reclaim the cemetary unearths racial wounds that have never completely healed. Research becomes activism as she organizes a grassroots, interracial committee, made up of local religious leaders and lay people, to work on restoring community access to the cemetery. The author also presents material from the time of slavery and the Reconstruction Era, including stories of “landtakings” (the theft of land from African Americans),and forms of slavery that continued well into the twentieth century. Ultimately Keepers of Love delivers a message of tremendous hope as members of both black and white communities come together to right an historical wrong, and in so doing, discover each other’s common dignity.

“Galland captures the struggle to reclaim one small cemetery in Texas with such engrossing drama and personal detail that the story becomes something larger still-a universal struggle to reclaim the ground of Deep Compassion that lies untended in the human heart.”-Sue Monk Kidd