1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I write as a lifelong Ohioan deeply proud of our state’s courageous stand against slavery. We cannot—and must not—ignore the truth that slavery was a brutal system of dehumanization. Any effort to downplay its horrors dishonors the millions who suffered under it and the countless Ohioans who risked everything to help them escape. Ohio was a linchpin of the Underground Railroad. From the safe houses in Ripley and Cincinnati to the heroic work of Levi Coffin, John Rankin, and so many unnamed abolitionists, our communities defied federal and state laws to guide enslaved people toward freedom. Their legacy teaches us that moral courage and collective action can overcome even the darkest chapter of our nation. I urge you to use your platforms to: • Issue a formal resolution reaffirming that slavery was an atrocity and highlighting Ohio’s leadership in the Underground Railroad. • Champion funding for accurate, comprehensive Black history curricula in all Ohio schools. • Support historic-preservation grants for Underground Railroad sites and public markers throughout our districts. By speaking out, sponsoring legislation, and funding education, you will remind every Ohioan—and every American—why we must resist any narrative that soft-pedals the evils of slavery. Thank you for your leadership in upholding historical truth and social justice.