Opinion: How far Georgia has come since 1860 - Gainesville Times

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Opinion: How far Georgia has come since 1860

Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at a campaign event in Ringgold, Georgia, Aug. 22, 2026. Photo: Kim Jarrett / The Center Square

Keisha Lance Bottoms — Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at a campaign event in Ringgold, Georgia, Aug. 22, 2026. Photo: Kim Jarrett / The Center Square

Earlier this year I read in a publication by the Georgia Historical Society that in 1860, 44% of Georgia’s population were slaves. That number stunned me, but didn’t surprise me.