Narrated By David W. Blight, Richard Allen, Dion Graham
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Slave narratives are extremely rare. Of the 100 or so of these testimonies that survive, a mere handful are first-person accounts by slaves who ran away and freed themselves. Now two newly uncovered narratives, and the biographies of the men who wrote them, join that exclusive group.
traceydriscoll says:
"David W Blight - Genius at work."
Slave narratives are extremely rare. Of the 100 or so of these testimonies that survive, a mere handful are first-person accounts by slaves who ran away and freed themselves. Now two newly uncovered narratives, and the biographies of the men who wrote them, join that exclusive group.
We continue our salute to Black History Month. We begin with Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America. Then, Maggie Linton talks to historian David Blight about two recently discovered slave narratives he draws on for his book, A Slave No More. We listen to a radio play that re-enacts an attempted mass slave escape in A Small Southern Town.
We revisit some of our favorite downloads and interviews. It's the last day of Black History Month and the beginning of spring training - a perfect time to return to Jonathan Eig's history of Jackie Robinson's first season in Brooklyn, Opening Day. And two recently discovered slave narratives make compelling history, including David Blight's Slave No More. Plus, Robin Whitten's recommendation for the month is about a well-known demon barber.