More than 15 million men, woman and children were victims of the slave trade, according to the United Nations, with the 400-year span marking “one of the darkest chapters in human history.”

Aug. 23 is recognized as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and it’s meant to not only honor victims, but ensure racist ideology is completely abolished in today’s world, the United Nations says.

William Walker of Newburgh grew up in Cleveland in the 1960s and experienced segregation in his school. He didn’t even realize he was in a “neighborhood school” until he saw the battle to achieve educational integration taking place around him.

“I was glad I was a part of that year, because I think that a lot of teachers, administrators, parents, etc., worked it out and knew that we still had a lot more to do in terms of finding the right way to teach kids finding a curriculum that they all can relate to on that,” said Walker.

Walker said his parents escaped the south, and he was fortunate enough to live in a nice neighborhood, living a sheltered life until he went to college.

“Within two weeks of my being on campus, I found that who I was expected to be, if I was used to, you know, sitting at the front of the class, you know, and participating when that incident occurred, I'm moved to the back of the class,” Walker said. “I wouldn't answer any questions. At the end of every semester, I burned my books. And the one time I opened my mouth was to snatch the rug from under my fellow students. Because you're going to know that I wasn't stupid.”

Walker said he was humiliated and understood that he was being targeted for being African American.

Over the years as he worked as an English teacher, Walker educated himself more about Black history and found systemic and structural racism to be pervasive. It’s why he felt so strongly about educating students about slavery inside the classroom.

“It's going to affect students if they don't teach history and see how it’s all part of this mosaic we call the United States. Every group has come here, but unless we start to see each other's work, we're going to miss what I what I think is a very important lesson. And that lesson is your individual narrative,” said Walker.

Now retired, Walker believes that by educating others about one’s culture, people can better understand their own identities and values.

“You just kind of see how you naturally fit between the sentences of the story of this country, which you are the sentences of,” Walker said. “Struggle can teach you how to read a story about struggle and teach you how to survive, can teach you the importance of your life. Reading a story about joy can show you how to bring joy into your life regardless of who it’s about … how the teacher handles it.”