We are pleased to provide you with the link to the recording of the program entitled The Anti-Slavery Efforts of Thomas Paine:

Below is the event description:

The Thomas Paine Memorial Association, Black Nonbelievers, the Secular Coalition for America, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Center for Inquiry, and the Freethought Society sponsored this special event to celebrate both the January 29th birthdate of Thomas Paine and Black History Month. This international event focused on Thomas Paine’s significant anti-slavery efforts.

Black leaders, educators, celebrities, politicians, social influencers, and others duly impressed with Thomas Paine’s foresight and warnings of civil unrest to end slavery appeared throughout this event. Guests included comedian Ty Barnett; Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY 16th District); Representative Shontel M. Brown (D-OH 11th District); poet Victor Harris; feminist/activist Dom Jones; emergency room doctor and nontheist activist Wil Jeudy; educator, author and historian Richard Newman; Professor Anthony Pinn; Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD 8th District); Representative Victoria Spartz (R-IN 5th District); and Black Nonbelievers founder and president Mandisa Thomas.

Hosts were Thomas Paine Memorial Association president Margaret Downey, and Dr. Christopher Cameron, author of “Black Freethinkers: A History of African American Secularism.”

Three musical performances were presented by Cynthia McDonald, a member of Godless Gospel and leader of Chicago’s Black Nonbelievers chapter.

Actor Ian Ruskin recited a letter that Thomas Paine wrote to Thomas Jefferson, using the persona of an enslaved person to emphasize the urgency of ending slavery. The 1808 letter, written seven months before Thomas Paine’s death, reveals a frustrated and angry abolitionist who had lost patience with those who participated in the debauchery.

Thomas Paine expert Gary Berton, president of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, introduced the letter from “A Slave” and answered questions.

A post-event social hour included a visit with sculptor Zenos Frudakis as he connected from his studio in Glenside, Pennsylvania. His clay statue of Thomas Paine was on display during the social hour.

Citations, References And Other Reading

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