“The institution of slavery produced offspring whose fathers considered them as property.” The Hickerson Slave Legacy Knowing where you come from should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds as they reflect on their heritage. Ancestors’ lives are the building blocks of future foundations. We are all born of two parents, and each side has its own story. On my father’s side, I know his name, that he was born in Mississippi, and that he served in World War II. I recall meeting his mother when I was about five years old, but that is about all I remember, because he abandoned the family shortly thereafter. On my mother’s side, I come from the Martin family on her mother’s side and the Hickerson family on her father’s side. Over the years, I asked my mother as many questions as possible to better understand our history. The Martin family is well documente...