This sale and the individuals associated with it, have come to be known as “GU272.” The event has received significant attention in recent years as part of a broader effort to confront and reconcile with the legacy of slavery in institutions of higher education and other historical entities in the United States. The revelation of the Jesuits’ historical ownership and exploitation of enslaved individuals, spanned various states, including Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Kansas, and Illinois.

The discovery and subsequent research into the identities and stories of the GU272 have led to a broader conversation about the responsibilities of institutions that benefitted from slavery. Georgetown University has undertaken several initiatives to address this legacy, including the establishment of a working group to recommend how to acknowledge and make amends for the university’s historical ties to slavery. These efforts have included offering an apology, preferential admissions consideration for descendants of the GU272, and the establishment of a memorial to honor their lives and legacy.

The GU272 is a poignant example of the complex interweaving of higher education, religion, and slavery in the early history of the United States. It raises critical questions about memory, responsibility, reparations, and the paths toward reconciliation. The ongoing research and dialogues surrounding the GU272 contribute to a deeper understanding of the impacts of slavery and the ways institutions can confront and learn from their past.