The Enlightenment: Citizens of Britishness

by Geoff Palmer

The Enlightenment was an 18th century concept that promoted "rights and reason" but was mostly indifferent to the pernicious and "legal" slavery that was taking place in the New World. The Enlightenment: Citizens of Britishness is a timely and moving document that deals with the consequences of New World Slavery as seen through the eyes of a Jamaican/ British immigrant whose ancestors were slaves. The consequences of New World Slavery are embedded in our lives like genes because, as Professor Palmer concludes, we are all aware of the negative views of black people that have been passed on from Ssavery. In this regard, New World Slavery has contributed to what we have become.

152 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2007

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This interesting and heartfelt little book shines a light on the colonial history of Jamaica, the appalling institution of chattel slavery and the role of Scottish migrants in it, which at the time of writing was talked about very little (though this is changing with the work of historians such as Tom Devine). I came across it in the course of researching some family history. It includes a historical discussion of slavery as it was practised in the Caribbean, an autobiographical section and an assortment of articles to do with racism and the idea of Britishness. Although it's clearly not a rigorous social science work and could have benefited from more careful editing, I found the personal story it told to be fascinating and affecting.