Scotch Plains Screening To Discuss NJ’s History Of Slavery

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ - A free screening of a two-part PBS documentary surrounding New Jersey’s history of slavery is set to take place in Scotch Plains later this month, and all residents are invited.

“The Price Of Silence” (2022) will be screened with back-to-back episodes at Nettingham Middle School’s auditorium (580 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains) on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.

The documentary includes “Part I: The Forgotten Story of New Jersey’s Enslaved People” and “Part II: The Lasting Impact of Slavery in New Jersey.”

The documentary was inspired by “If These Stones Could Talk” by Eliane Buck and Beverly Mills.

“New Jersey is known as the Garden State. We’re known for our blueberries. We’re known for our corn. We’re known for our peaches. But we’re not known for the slaves that were here tilling the soil,” Mills says in the documentary. “We’re not known for the whole history of slavery connected to New Jersey and how slavery was the underpinning of much of the wealth of New Jersey.”

A post-screening discussion will take place with filmmaker Ridgeley Hutchinson of Truehart Productions and cast members Linda Caldwell Epps, Kristal Langford and Daniella Cotton.

The screening is free and open to the public.

You can preregister here.