Topic: Labor Studies Workshare: "Black Revolution in the Sea Islands: Empire, Property, and the Emancipation of Land and Labour, 1861-1863" w/Frances O'Shaughnessy, History

Abstract: This paper tells a story of the Black Revolution and in particular the emancipatory movement of Gullah people in the Sea Islands. As part of a larger spiritual tradition of resistance, Gullah people practiced freedom through soul, song, and soil. Their liberatory struggle during the Civil War refutes the propaganda of American history, which understands emancipation as a proprietary freedom that could only be achieved through the Union invasion of the South. Celebrating an empire of slavery under the veil of state citizenship, the propaganda of American history buries the creative and collective black struggle under the catastrophe of liberal modernity. When one tunes into the everyday rhythms of black life, however, a Black Revolution emerges from the soil. A testament to life beyond property, empire, and capital, Gullah people cultivated a new world and lived a freedom that the future would call a dream. Sweeping the land with their music and poetry, they created an alternative past on the very landscape that had bound them to slavery. They forced planters off the plantations, welcomed black fugitives, and expanded gardens under a revolution that did nothing less than depropertize their world. Living a collective emancipation through the depropertization of land and labour, the Black Revolution made a home out of the apocalypse of war.

Due to UW's COVID-19 closure, this workshare will take place on-line through Zoom. To register, please click here.

About: The Labor Studies Workshare features UW faculty and graduate students presenting works-in-progress on labor-related topics for feedback from an interdisciplinary audience of labor scholars from across campus.

Workshare Format: Workshare papers are circulated to registered attendees a week in advance of the workshare. Participants are expected to have read the paper before the meeting and be prepared for a discussion. Registration required.

To register: Fill out the Google form here to register for the workshare and receive the paper.