Lanier framed her claim as repatriating enslaved ancestors, not just winning a lawsuit

Evidence

As we made our way back across the campus, Ben started to chant “Free Renty!” and others joined in. Our small, powerful protest. Then someone started singing “We Shall Overcome” and we all sang together, arms linked. As we sang, I thought to myself, We shall, we must. Renty and Delia had been held captive at this institution for too long. It was time to let them come home. By then I was imagining a repatriation that included a ceremonial process, a home-going that would restore their dignity and offer them an appropriate final resting place. — Tamara Lanier, From These Roots, 956

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Directly extends the ritual-sacrifice/repatriation themes in ‘On Sacrifice’ — the ceremonial home-going as a modern restitution ritual restoring dignity to the dead.