New Haven Considers Apology for 1831 Violence

In 1831, a proposal for the nation's first African American college in New Haven, Connecticut, was overwhelmingly rejected by white male landowners, leading to violence against Black residents and their supporters. Nearly two centuries later, New Haven officials are contemplating a public apology for this historical injustice, sparked by a resolution introduced by the late Alder Thomas Ficklin Jr. and City Historian Michael Morand. The proposal calls for an official apology and educational initiatives regarding the events of 1831. Ficklin's unexpected passing on October 9 has raised concerns about the resolution's future, but Morand is committed to advancing the efforts. The full Board of Alders is expected to discuss the proposal later this fall, with renewed interest in this neglected history following recent documentaries. The sentiment captures a desire to address past wrongs and reflect on the legacy of those actions.