About this Session
The Mary Bateman Clark case resulted in an Indiana Supreme Court decision in the early 19th Century that set a precedent for ending slavery disguised as indentured servitude in Indiana, which historically has been considered a slavery-free state.
Both the 1787 Northwest Territorial Ordinance and the 1816 Indiana State Constitution banned slavery and indentured servitude though both were practiced by the state’s highest leaders. Truth dissects institutional racism. Incorrect history is still being taught.
In the case of Mary Bateman Clark, the Indiana Supreme Court held that indentured servitude imposed on African Americans was more heinous than slavery.
The presenter is the great, great, great granddaughter of Mary Bateman Clark who is the author of the recently released book, “Black In Indiana.”