Bill Overview
Title: Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act
Description: This bill authorizes the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia to commemorate the enslaved individuals, the identities of whom may be known or unknown, who endured the Middle Passage. The Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour shall be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work. Federal funds may not be used to pay any expense of the establishment of the commemorative work.
Sponsors: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals connected to the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade
Estimated Size: 41000000
- The memorial is meant to commemorate enslaved individuals who endured the Middle Passage.
- Millions of Africans were transported to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade, enduring the Middle Passage.
- The bill focuses on commemorating these individuals, their identities, and their experiences.
- The memorial is intended to raise awareness and educate people about the history related to the Middle Passage.
Reasoning
- The Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act affects a specific historical context, primarily impacting those connected to the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
- The policy does not allocate federal funds, relying on private contributions, hence its direct financial impact on individuals is negligible.
- Since it is commemorative, the primary impact would be emotional, educational, or cultural, affecting self-reported wellbeing in those who feel connected to the memorial's purpose.
- The target population is African Americans who may feel uplifted by increased visibility and acknowledgment of their ancestors' history.
- Other demographics such as historians, educators, or tourists interested in African American history might also be affected, though their emotional engagement may vary.
Simulated Interviews
Historian (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This memorial is a crucial step for acknowledging and educating people about the Middle Passage's true impact.
- It deeply matters to me as a descendant and a historian to have such public recognition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Education Policy Consultant (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the memorial is important, I think policies that fund education and socio-economic initiatives would have more tangible benefits.
- Symbolic acts are important for recognition, yet we need actionable change to accompany them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this memorial serves a vital educational purpose right here in the nation's capital.
- It's a public acknowledgment long overdue, and it will have a lasting impact on future generations in understanding true American history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honestly, I don't have a strong connection to this type of memorial.
- I'm more focused on future-facing initiatives that drive change and innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cultural Anthropologist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This memorial strikes me as an important cultural marker, adding to the richness of memorials in DC.
- Visual storytelling through such memorials can profoundly influence public perceptions of history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being able to visit such a memorial would perhaps add a deeper dimension to my understanding and interest.
- While symbolic, representation matters and builds a form of historical solidarity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Museum Curator (Detroit, MI)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a wellspring of educational resources and initiatives for museums across the country.
- Recognition in the form of historical memorials is vital for a comprehensive cultural landscape.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Local Government Official (Richmond, VA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the cause but am concerned about the funding limitations despite its cultural importance.
- For real impact, we need comprehensive policy approaches that include economic and educational support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired Dockworker (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For many of us, the recognition is powerful, although symbolic, it's a step toward healing and acknowledgment.
- I wish there was funding to truly dignify the recognition these ancestors deserve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Professor (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Memorials are essential for remembrance and can form educational platforms, yet they must be part of a broader systemic change.
- This is a step, yet awareness needs support from active policy changes in equity and reparative justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill ensures that all costs associated with the commemorative work are the responsibility of a non-federal entity.
- The Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project must secure its own funding for this initiative.