Slavery in the Age of Memory: Engaging the Past

Slavery in the Age of Memory: Engaging the Past explores how ordinary citizens, social groups, governments, and institutions engage with the past of slavery and the Atlantic slave trade. It uses a variety of case studies to investigate how social actors and groups in Europe, Africa, and the Americas have engaged with the slave past of their societies, and how these debates have become relevant in the societies where slavery existed and which participated in the Atlantic slave trade. The book argues that memory of slavery is racialized and gendered and that debates about slavery are associated with the persistent racial inequalities, racism, and white supremacy that still shape societies where slavery existed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Slavery in the Age of Memory: Engaging the Past delves into the complex tapestry of historical narratives surrounding slavery and the Atlantic slave trade. It explores the multifaceted ways in which ordinary citizens, social groups, governments, and institutions engage with the legacy of this painful period. The book sheds light on the resurgence of debates about slavery in societies where it existed and in those that played a role in the Atlantic slave trade over the past five decades. Through a rich array of case studies, it investigates the diverse ways in which social actors and groups in Europe, Africa, and the Americas have grappled with the slave past of their societies. It examines the connections between the demands to rename streets in Liverpool, England, and the protests to remove Confederate monuments in the United States. It also explores how black and white social actors and scholars have shaped the representation of slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in the United States. The book further explores the significance of slave cemeteries in Brazil and the United States, as well as the walls of names at Whitney Plantation, in honoring enslaved people. It uncovers the shared problems and goals that led to the establishment of the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Moreover, it delves into the powerful role of artists in confronting the debates about slavery and its legacies through their works.

The significance of this book lies in its ability to resonate with contemporary issues. It argues that memory of slavery is deeply racialized and gendered, highlighting the ongoing connections between debates about slavery and persistent racial inequalities, racism, and discrimination. By examining the past, Slavery in the Age of Memory: Engaging the Past offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for addressing these issues in the present and future.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, educators, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of historical memory, race, and identity. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to exploring the multifaceted ways in which individuals and societies engage with the past, shaping our collective understanding of history and contributing to the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350048492