Discussion with Thomas Blakeslee

The Race, Gender, and Slavery in the Atlantic World working group explores the diverse histories of the Atlantic African diaspora, particularly those that intersect with race, gender, and slavery. We examine how these histories reflect traditional Western theories of development and democracy, highlighting their intellectual and material shortcomings. Notably, the Enlightenment project's emphasis on personal freedom occurred alongside the increasing enslavement of people from the African continent. Our discussions engage with Western concepts of development and democracy while also incorporating non-Western epistemologies related to political participation and human agency. We focus on the lived experiences of those who have faced denial of political rights and bodily sovereignty in the modern world.

Cochairs: Karen Graubart and Scott Barton