Black Elders

Rezensionen / Stimmen

"By centering the politics of age and eldership from the height of the Atlantic slave trade through the Civil War, Black Elders offers a new and important contribution to the study of Black life in slavery and freedom." (Erica Armstrong Dunbar, author of Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge) "With the publication of Black Elders, Frederick C. Knight has made a remarkable contribution to the study of slavery and freedom, introducing 'the politics of age' as a principal lens of analysis. Beginning the story in West Africa and following it into North America via the transatlantic trade, he shows how the African-descended, through slavery, post-emancipation, and even into more contemporary times, fought to retain, reclaim, and refashion the saliency and meaning of 'the elders' within their community. Drawing from a range of primary sources, Knight allows us to hear the voices of those long rendered voiceless. It is a compelling story that Knight tells well, skillfully and movingly. Black Elders is a must read." (Michael A. Gomez, author of African Dominion: A New History of Empire in Early and Medieval West Africa) "Spanning continents and centuries, Black Elders is the first comprehensive history of Black elderhood as lived experience and cultural ideal. Frederick C. Knight offers a transformative history of slavery and freedom that recognizes the importance of Black elders as leaders who held together multigenerational families, spurred community development, and passed down wisdom. This extensively researched and beautifully written book should be required reading for everyone interested in African American history and culture, age studies, or what it means to grow old." (Corinne T. Field, author of The Struggle for Equal Adulthood: Gender, Race, Age, and the Fight for Citizenship in Antebellum America)