By
Luana M. Graves Sellars
Slave cabins at Hobcaw Barony and Arundel Plantations – Photo Credit – LMGS
In full disclosure, I’m writing this during a weeklong getaway on Clermont Plantation in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Most of you might be familiar with the story of my ancestors, Catherine and George Ward, who were enslaved on a rice plantation by Joshua John Ward. JJ Ward owned between 6 and 9 plantations as far as I know, and due to his wealth and success growing rice was called the “Rice King” as a result of his wealth from the sale of rice, He was one of the top 10 enslavers in the US. For several decades he had close to 1,200 enslaved people. And by the way, through the amazing technology and information that comes from DNA research, I am one of his descendants.
So, for context, I’m writing this from Clermont Plantation, in Georgetown County, South Carolina. The plantation is on the Pee Dee River and is a stone’s throw away from Brookgreen Gardens, which is a former plantation and one of the properties that JJ Ward owned. Between conversations and actually being on a plantation, I am compelled to not only talk about plantations and address the debate about the use of the word head on.
In the days leading up to my arrival here, I was asked by several friends why would I want to be here, and more importantly sleep here. I was also asked if I was scared to be here. This is my third visit and second time staying on the plantation. When I first came on the grounds, I was instantly drawn to being here and feel a strong connection to this place and land that I don’t feel anywhere else. Yes, I am connected to Hilton Head Island through my ancestor and Civil War US Colored Troop Soldier, Cesear Ravenel, who was on Hilton Head, however, he was born on the Black River, and intersects with the Pee Dee River, which sort of sandwiches the plantation in between the two. Am I afraid? No. I’m more concerned about the crazy people in the woods (like in the movies) and those that surround the land, than anything else. However, I also have slept better here over the past few days, as I believe that there are plenty of ancestors around to protect me.
Lately, several conversations about plantations have been popping up and drawing me into wanting to talk about what they really are and what they really mean to descendants. Of course, there are descendants who are not interested in stepping foot on a plantation, because the pain is so deep. I get that. Really, I do. For generations, elders refused to speak of the past as a direct result of that generational trauma. But no one, Black, White or other will heal if we continue to ignore the past or at least begin to start conversations about it.
Plantations visually, tend to be strikingly beautiful places that also embody and represent violence, pain and suffering. Period. Full stop. They may contain beautiful grounds and gardens now, but why would someone want to get married here? Wherever plantations exist, they should be educational opportunities where people get a full understanding of the reasons that there is blood in the soil, not places where one comes to celebrate or party.
Ironically, while here, a Facebook post popped up asking for people to vote for Brookgreen Gardens as one of the USA Today Top 10 Botanical Gardens in the US. To me, that hurts, because that is their focus and economic foundation, instead of the slave story that they should be identified as, remembered and known for. A plantation is where someone’s ancestors, who were captured, tortured and ripped from their family labored under the control of someone else. Changing the focus to anything else, in my opinion is extremely disrespectful. For some, like me, plantations are the only connection to our ancestors, and in most cases, that’s when you’re lucky. The average descendant might not even get far enough to know a location.
I’m sure that some plantations have some records, which they should be compelled to share. Any scrap of documentation, for a descendent that does not know their ancestorial story, that is a treasured gift that should be given to the world. And they should want to be a resource for families, instead of focusing on light shows and such. I can’t say how frustrating and turned off I have been when I have gone to a plantation that glamorized the life and wealth of the enslavers and minimized the contributions of those whose blood, sweat and tears contributed to that wealth. Again, that hurts.
The debate over the word and the use of the word has been going on, at least on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for the past couple of years, The island consists of several gated communities that have been named plantations for generations. Right after COVID, conversations began around removing the word plantation from all of the gated communities. While I appreciate the good-natured support of people, mostly white, who are in support of it, I understand why they feel that way, however, I feel that their rational is superficial, and will only ultimately reinforce the erasure of Black History. That’s why I totally disagree with the word being removed from the location. If the names are removed, then the land in most cases, becomes for eternity, just another plot of land that someone lives or shops.
On Hilton Head, and in a lot of places in the south, the land was actually a plantation. And for that reason, I believe it should forever be identified as such. Leaving the word should come with educational opportunities and respect. Now, so that I am clear, that’s only IF the land was actually a plantation. Places with names like Plantation Commons or Plantation whatever anywhere else, do not get a pass.
The word plantation has become the definition of southern hospitality and charm. That also needs to stop. It is exactly what it is. That’s how little by little the word is evolving and the use of it is becoming watered down. In a time where the slavery story and Black History is being suppressed daily, to me, this is one of those things that should always be called exactly what it is. A plantation. That way I and other descendants, if they chose, can go and respect those who sacrificed and persevered, so that we can recognize and acknowledge all that they experienced. Full stop.
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