Former Slave Shares Story of Triumph and Hope

"I am not special. My story is not that unique. In fact, in Haiti and across the United States there are thousand of stories like mine." ~ Micheline Slattery, activist and former slave

On the day Americans remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - a man whose message was love, hope, and forgiveness amidst the tireless pursuit of justice - Micheline Slattery, a former slave, shared her incredible story. Just one day before the inauguration of the first African American president of the United States, Slattery spoke at Perkins School for the Blind about slavery in the 21st century.

Perkins President Steven Rothstein implored the audience to think of three numbers - 1865 (the year of the Emancipation Proclamation banning slavery in the United States); 100,000 (the estimated number of people enslaved in the United States today - nearly 150 years later); and 27 million (the number of people enslaved around the world). Slattery's story - though shocking to many in the crowd - is a painful reality for millions across the globe.

"I was trafficked from my home in Haiti to Norwalk, Connecticut when I was 14," said Slattery. Slattery was orphaned at the age of five and forced to work as a child servant for extended family. She was eventually sold for $2,500 to a cousin in the U.S.

"For 12 years I was abused in every way imaginable ... For 12 years I thought God was trying to punish me for one reason or another," explained Slattery, whose extended family in Haiti routinely beat her, forcing her to kneel in the hot sun on cheese graters for hours before rubbing salt into the wounds.

When told she was going to America at age 14, Slattery was overjoyed, dreaming of a new life. Sadly her circumstances did not improve. Though allowed to attend school, Slattery was in charge of taking care of her cousin's three children and doing all of the household chores. This cousin also routinely beat her - once striking her in the face with a butcher knife. Slattery made up stories when teachers asked about the bruises and she kept her head down when classmates made fun of her dirty clothes.

"I felt out of place, inferior and incredibly alone," Slattery recalled. Unable to take any more abuse, Slattery gathered the courage to run away when she was 17. An elderly neighbor gave her shelter for $80 a week and she worked two jobs while going to school. Today Slattery is a geriatric nurse in Massachusetts and she speaks as an activist with the American Anti-Slavery Group in Boston. Slattery also recounts her story in the book, "Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery."

Perkins' Chamber Singers and members of the Lower School Chorus began and ended the ceremony with spirituals on freedom. Members of Perkins' Diversity Council suggested honoring King by volunteering for a cause, inviting audience members to get involved with the Council's service project to collect donations for the nonprofit, Dress for Success.  

On January 20, 2009, students and staff at Perkins beared witness to an incredible milestone in American history as President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration was broadcast live in audio described video to be completely accessible to people who are visually impaired.

As we celebrate the momentous occasion, Rothstein reminded us to consider Dr. King's words: "Life's most persistent and nagging question is 'What are you doing for others?'"

There is still work to do. The foundation of the White House, Rothstein said, was built by slaves and the new first lady carries in her blood the blood of both former slaves and slave owners. As a country - as a humanity - we have overcome so much but we have much to overcome.

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