The Reckoning traces the history and lasting impact of slavery in America by looking at how the institution unfolded in Kentucky. The state remained in the Union during the Civil War, but many white Kentuckians fought to hang onto slavery and the wealth the enslaved provided. In the years that followed, former Unionists and Confederates banded together to violently deny black citizens a seat at the table. As part of this story, we will meet members of two families, one white and one black, whose lives were intertwined through slavery. These families reflect how slavery touched nearly every person, place and institution in America, and how the country still needs to reconcile this painful past with the the impact slavery has had on the present day health, wealth and safety of African Americans.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
In the wake of Lincoln’s murder, the Confederates successfully derailed efforts to connect them to the assassination plot. We also explore what happened to the various Copperhead conspirators after the Civil War and why these events from 160 years ago still matter today.
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