Photo: Dain & his wife Constance Perry

Dain’s ancestors were DeWolfs, one of the largest slave trading families in American history, based in New England. Dain, along with other members of his family, have been on a quest to confront not only their family’s past but America’s history of racism. They have been part of a film team that is documenting the slave trade and the way the American north – not just the south – was involved in slavery.

I think the most important piece of Coming to the Table was seeing people who have faced the evil of the past which their families experienced. It comes down to one family – one side was the perpetrator and the other the victim – and trying to rise above that.

Our society has great difficulty trying to do that. What struck me most was seeing how people have risen above that in wonderfully productive ways.

The storytelling was extraordinary. The sharing, the brainstorming – I hope we can expand the numbers, get more families involved. It needs to be a national process.

Constance: I had lots of reservations about being here. I’m glad that Dain encouraged me. There was such richness in the room, at the table. Getting to know many of you, the conversations we’ve had – I feel like my cup runneth over. Even though I may not be related by blood, I feel like you are my family. It’s a wonderful experience.