How the Word Is Passed

by Clint Smith, Clint Smith III · 2021

In *How the Word Is Passed*, Clint Smith III embarks on a powerful journey across the United States to uncover the lingering echoes of slavery that shape our present. From the haunting remnants of plantation houses and the quiet dignity of historic sites to the everyday conversations that keep the past alive, Smith weaves personal narrative, rigorous research, and poignant interviews into a vivid tapestry of memory and accountability. He asks what it truly means to remember, how stories are told—or silenced—and what responsibility we bear to confront the legacies that still define American life. This compelling reckoning invites readers to look beyond monuments and textbooks, urging a deeper, more honest dialogue about history, identity, and the path toward collective healing.