The Sentence
Dec 13, 2017•25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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Summary
The episode "The Sentence" traces the surprising origins of racial slavery in America back to 1640 with the case of John Punch, an indentured servant sentenced to lifelong servitude while his European counterparts received shorter terms. It explores how this ruling and subsequent laws systematically linked African descent to permanent slavery, creating distinct racial categories and influencing everything from legal rights to family identities like the "Black Dutch" or Melungeons. The narrative connects these historical threads to modern-day figures, including President Barack Obama, revealing the profound and lasting impact of these early decisions on American society.Episode description
In 1640 three men attempted to escape indentured servitude. The outcome lay the foundation for the split in America that lead to Civil War.
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