‘Lest We Forget’ exhibit brings reality of slavery home to students, public

By: Stephanie Prokop
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Black History Month may have been in February, but Bordentown Regional High School students are trying to make a difference in promoting diversity year round.
   On Monday night the high school multicultural group, Helping All Needed During School (HANDS), will host artifact collectors Justin and Gwen Ragsdale, who are putting on a traveling historical presentation called "Lest We Forget" showing slavery artifacts at the school library. The event is open to the public.
   Mr. and Ms. Ragsdale’s collection, described on the Web site, "The National Underground Railroad Family Reunion Festival," (www.undergroundrr.com), includes slavery artifacts such as shackles, chains, whips and branding irons.The ability to see and touch the actual items brings history alive and provides a better understanding of the pain and suffering endured by Africans brought to America, they said.
   According to co-adviser and school nurse Donna Glover, the program offers a hands-on approach to teaching an appalling period in history in a thoughtful manner.
   "It also serves as a great teaching tool for influencing diversity and appreciating differences, said Ms. Glover. "Our mission is to promote acceptance of differences, and we do so through charitable activities."
   According to a description of the exhibit online, it features interactive elements, artifacts, text and photographs gathered from across the nation.
   Ms. Glover said she is excited about the exhibit and said that the HANDS program tries to raise funds from a different type of activity each year.
   She said that in previous years they supported the Save Darfur campaign by selling T-shirts. The profits generated went to victims in the Sudan area that had been affected by the country’s turmoil.
   Two years ago, the HANDS group had participated in a charity called "Operation Smile," which helps both children and adults of Third World countries seek the medical help they need to keep their teeth healthy.
   The HANDS group also strives to mix up the "cliques" that are often associated with high school life. "We also have a program were we have students sit at a different table at each lunchtime so the students can meet new people," she said.
   Ms. Glover said that she is very excited about the "Lest we Forget" program because not only can students attend, but the presentation is open to the community as well.
   "It gives us (the community) to examine that period in history," she said, "And the information is presented in a sensitive manner, to foster the appreciation, strength, and endurance of what the African-American went through (during that time)," she added.
   Ms. Glover also said that she wanted to make the community aware that anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. The group has approximately 30 students who are active with various activities throughout the year.
   The presentation is taking place on Monday, at 6 p.m. at the Bordentown Regional High School’s library.
   Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students ages 12-18. Children under 12 are admitted free. Tickets are available by calling Ms. Glover at (609)298-0025, and can also be purchased at the door.