12 Years A Slave star and red carpet it-girl Lupita Nyong’o has become one amongst many who are opposed to the transformation of Shockoe Bottom into a minor league baseball stadium for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Nyong’o played a pivotal role in the 2013 slave narrative that was filmed at the historic Richmond, VA slave site. Shockoe Bottom previously held over 90 slave dealers, and 300,000 men and women were enslaved, bought, and sold there. Shockoe Bottom is also near a slave burial ground.
Standing firm on her decision, Nyong’o recently wrote a letter to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones on October 19. “Evidence of America’s slave history simply must be preserved, as the legacy of slavery affects all American people,” she wrote. Nyong’o has also taken to social media to raise awareness for the plight of Shockoe Bottom.
In response, Jones invited the actress back to the film’s location to witness the steps being made to preserve its historic past. He also stated, “Our plans show where we want to invest in that history and lift that history up for future generations to learn from.”
In addition, the National Trust for Historic Preservation recruited Nyong’o for its campaign. The location has been named one of the “11 Most Endangered Historic Places,” according to AP.
The baseball stadium was just one part of a development proposal, which also included plans for a slavery museum, hotel, and apartments.