Book Of The Month

Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History

Of Escaping Slavery By Sea

Marcus Rediker

Author of The Slave Ship

Freedom Ship shows the historical outreach and assistance that Black people gave to one another, when we or I should say “our Ancestors” were enslaved in America.  What I most appreciate about this book is the evidence provided that shows Black on Black solidarity, assistance and outreach to one another throughout the awful enslavement epoch in America.  Marcus Rediker provides well researched proof that displays a network of Black individuals, dedicated to ensuring help to escaping Blacks trying to make it to so-called “freedom”.  And most intriguingly, those escaping ensnarement often travelled by boat.  Those of you subscribed to “Readings with Regina” may recall that Linda Brent/Harriet Jacobs and Frederick Douglass made their escapes from ensnarement and Rediker provides the evidence that these two luminaries made their way to supposed freedom by sea.  He gives details long sought that expose the assistance each received from family, friends and other Black people, men and women, who dedicated their lives to assist escaping Blacks. Freedom Ship presents confirmation that has long plagued contemporary and historical collective Black thinking which directly or indirectly concludes that Black people didn’t and don’t stick together or that Blacks can’t trust one another.  That historical and contemporary group think is decimated once reading Freedom Ship, a must-read book- a gift to all Black people and those interested in courage, creativity, ingenuity, and revolutionary actions during the ugly centuries of Black bondage in America.