Undoing Slavery: Bodies, Race, and Rights in the Age of Abolition

Undoing Slavery explores the abolitionist focus on the body, highlighting the challenges of restoring bodily integrity and wellbeing of enslaved people. It reveals how slavery exploited the bodies of men and women differently, and how the 1850s saw the convergence of federal Fugitive Slave Law and racist medicine. The book emphasizes the need for urgent physical care and access to medical knowledge untainted by racist science to protect and heal the bodies of African-descended people from the consequences of slavery and racism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2023
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Undoing Slavery delves into the rich tapestry of cultural, political, medical, and legal history to unravel the abolitionist movement's profound focus on the body in its own unique terms. Driven by their unwavering belief in the universal nature of the human body and confronted with the escalating racism prevalent in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, abolitionists in North America and Britain relentlessly worked to dismantle the devastating effects of slavery on the physical well-being of the enslaved. Their pragmatic approach aimed to restore the integrity and vitality of these individuals, presenting unforeseen challenges along the way. This captivating book explores these challenges in depth.

Slavery exerted a distinct impact on the bodies of men and women, with enslaved women necessitating recognition as mothers rather than mere reproducers of slave property. Enslaved men, on the other hand, sought to assert their full adult personhood without igniting white fears about their potential access to male privilege. However, the task of undoing slavery grew increasingly complex as the 1850s unfolded. The convergence of federal Fugitive Slave Law and racist medicine further complicated the situation, blurring the lines between enslaved and emancipated individuals of African descent. This convergence necessitated militant action to challenge the oppressive systems that perpetuated slavery and racism.

Refugees from slavery, who sought solace in so-called "free" jurisdictions, demonstrated that escape from the life of slavery was indeed possible. Yet, leaving behind the enslaved body, the physical manifestation of trauma and injury, proved an insurmountable challenge. The bodies damaged by slavery required immediate and urgent physical care, as well as access to medical knowledge that was free from the taint of racist science. As the campaign to end slavery unfolded, it became evident that legal rights alone, while vital, were insufficient to safeguard or heal the bodies of African-descended people from the lingering consequences of slavery and racism.

In conclusion, Undoing Slavery serves as a profound exploration of the complex interplay between culture, politics, medicine, and law in the abolitionist movement. By delving into the historical context and the bodily experiences of the enslaved, this book sheds light on the challenges and complexities faced by abolitionists in their quest to dismantle slavery and promote bodily integrity and well-being for all individuals. It underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and intersectional approach to address the legacy of slavery and racism, recognizing the multifaceted dimensions of harm and the importance of collective action to create a more just and equitable society.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781512823271