This is the final in our series of paintings by Eyre Crowe, a British artist who chronicled the domestic slave trade during his six-month visit to America, 1852-1853. The series has included this visitor’s view before the sale, during, and now after. The horror and objectification of this American history continues in After the Sale.

Though the international slave trade had been outlawed by this time, the culturally-sanctioned cruelty of the domestic trade continued. Families were torn apart after the sale. Babies were handed off from wagon loads of mothers while a gentleman in top hat holding a whip turns his back. It is as if he could not see or hear what was happening so near him. His world, the world of power and profit lingers in the ivory distance. The shamefulness of this man is ours to share.

This is what slavery looked like. We can imagine how it sounded. This degree of pain is not forgotten through generations. May we admit this starting place as we do our anti-racism work. May God be with us.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church