Following the abolition of slavery in New England; white citizens seemed to forget that it had ever existed there. Drawing on a wide array of primary sources―from slaveowners' diaries to children's daybooks to racist broadsides―Joanne Pope Melish reveals not only how northern society changed but how its perceptions changed as well. Melish explores the origins of racial thinking and practices to show how ill-prepared the region was to accept a population of free people of color in its midst. Because emancipation was gradual; whites transferred prejudices shaped by slavery to their relations with free people of color; and their attitudes were buttressed by abolitionist rhetoric which seemed to promise riddance of slaves as much as slavery.Melish tells how whites came to blame the impoverished condition of people of color on their innate inferiority; how racialization became an important component of New England ante-bellum nationalism; and how former slaves actively participated in this discourse by emphasizing their African identity. Placing race at the center of New England history; she contends that slavery was important not only as a labor system but also as an institutionalized set of relations. The collective amnesia about local slavery's existence became a significant component of New England regional identity.
#244322 in Books Cornell University Press 2009-02-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.46 x .60 x 5.58l; .66 #File Name: 0801475279256 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Real 1673 Mystery; Excellent for Genealogists; History Buffs; and Mystery readers.By CustomerEnjoyable easy-to-read 1673 "real mystery;" with insights to Portsmouth; Rhode Island colonial culture. [Died by fire; no one smelled or heard anything. "Her" ghost appeared to her brother and said; 'See how I am burned;' but made no accusation or naming of anyone being at fault; yet her son was hung for murder.]Excellent resource for genealogists; mystery buffs; history buffs and legal system researchers. Detailed index; comprehensive citations and footnotes; complemented with chapter endnotes (in one section at the back of the book). Author names ALL individuals identified in any document she found; including witnesses with little information; people who were "present" but gave no testimony; and people from other towns who came for some reason.Author's presents detailed research and explanations beyond the basic mysterious death. Very smooth continuity while sharing the colony's:--demographics--various religious and non-religious philosophies/beliefs--"recent" events and a couple of specific incidents with the local Native American Indians--the local Portsmouth government (and/or lack thereof)--the provincial government (i.e. the colony's government)--the colony's evolving democratic ways and legal methods (with some contrast to British rule)--changing attitudes and beliefs among colonists (and some in England)Relevant to modern readers from the human nature perspective. (Rebecca's an old woman with complaints; yet sometimes she gave few or no specifics and answered a question with a question such as "how do you think?" She also put conflicting demands on one son. Such behavior can be aggravating; which definitely influenced the verdict to hang her son for killing her.)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An informative book. Quite readable and Ms. Crane ...By CrazypiecesAn informative book. Quite readable and Ms. Crane covers every aspect of this Grandmother's death.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Purchased and read for genealogical information contained in the book ...By PlayingpossumPurchased and read for genealogical information contained in the book. It provided much factual information on the Cornell incident and family history which was what I was seeking. Not sure about interpretative aspects of the book since it was possibly colored by the modern mind and academic approaches of the author. I would probably not trust some of the social and gender characterizations.
