The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family

"The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family" unveils a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter in the story of American social justice, focusing on the Black members of the legendary Grimke family. While the white Grimke sisters, Sarah and Angelina, are celebrated for their radical departure from Southern aristocracy to become Northern abolitionist icons, this compelling narrative, penned by award-winning historian Kerri Greenidge, shifts the spotlight to their Black relatives, whose lives and contributions have remained in the shadows. Spanning from the 18th to the 20th century and traversing locales from Charleston to Boston, Greenidge not only explores the complex lives of figures such as Nancy Weston and the modernist writer Angelina Weld Grimke but also critically examines the racial paternalism of the Grimke sisters themselves. Published on November 8, 2022, and adorned with accolades such as the National Book Critics Circle Award finalist and inclusion in the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2022, this landmark biography is essential for high school students exploring themes of racial justice and gender equality. It challenges readers to reconsider the narratives we inherit and the legacies we leave behind.