Eliza Dieck , Opinion’s Editor
The Sewanee community welcomed the Roberson Project: On Race, Slavery, and Reconciliation to the Domain in 2017. Since then, this initiative has grown tremendously by hosting lectures, offering student research opportunities and working on different projects throughout Sewanee. The mission statement declares that the staff, faculty and students who participate “seek to gather and give a more complete historical account of this university, the town of Sewanee, and all its people: one that sheds light on how slavery and its legacies have marked our history and that acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of all who have shaped Sewanee’s past and present.”
The Roberson Project grew out of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative in 2016 and strives to accomplish community-driven work. Dr. Register, the Founding Director of the Roberson Project, stated “We want to partner and be led by the people with roots in that community in the programming and projects that we develop.” The Roberson Project conducts research and offers resources to various communities; however, they also allow the communities to navigate the promulgation of their findings.
For example, they have aided and invested in the refurbishment of the St. Marks Community Center, sponsored the ground penetrating radar survey of the historic black cemetery and segregated Kennerly School and compiled digital projects including websites, archives and interactive maps that display historically significant sites. The Roberson Project has joined forces with other universities in the United States who are seeking to reconcile with their histories by locating the legacies of slavery through the Database Project. Through the Descendents Project, the Roberson Project has located many of the “Founding Funders” of Sewanee and created a map which notes these “funders” amount of slaves and contributing donations to the school. Currently, they are working on a new public art project at the site of the segregated swimming pool in the St. Marks neighborhood. On May 4th, there will be a pool party to commemorate the site. These are just a few of the numerous programs the Roberson Project has initiated to unveil stories of the past that can be added to Sewanee’s perpetually growing history book, and this book must be read.
Sewanee was founded over a century and a half ago in 1857. Often, when an institution is older –which ours is– there exists a more difficult history its constituents must grapple with. Dr. Register stated that he “understands when you are confronted with a story about this university that doesn’t just conflict but has the potential to rock your understanding, affection or belief for the place.” Despite this discomfort, as students, alumni, community members and faculty, we have the duty to reckon with Sewanee’s history.
Lily Mobley (C ‘26), Order of the Gown President, said, “I think this is one of the most important initiatives on Sewanee’s campus. The Roberson Project has a wealth of resources that enable this community to learn about the history of the university and to work towards reconciliation and restoration as a group.”
Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican activist, summarized the criticality of acknowledging our histories when he said, ”A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and achievement is like a tree without roots.” The roots of Sewanee are still being discovered and continually re-evaluated. However, the evident truth is that our University is steeped in a deeply racist history and the future success of the University of the South is contingent upon learning and acknowledging this past.
Mobley said, “I think this initiative could receive more recognition. There are many very important organizations and initiatives on this campus, but the Roberson Project is deserving of more attention. In my opinion, it is one of the initiatives that most truly embodies EQB and the values of the university. It needs more participation from students, staff, faculty, and alumni in order to flourish as it should.”
According to Dr. Register, the Roberson Project has an “open door policy,” and he encourages students to present new ideas and ask questions Spring has sprung in Sewanee! Embrace the weather with a walk on the St. Marks Heritage Trail to experience the incredible work this organization has accomplished and learn a bit more about the history of the Domain.
As Lily Mobley said, the Roberson Project “embodies EQB.” EQB is described as “respecting the dignity of all;” including our campus and community.