Unsung: Unheralded Narratives of American Slavery & Abolition

by Schomburg Center Schomburg Center (Editor), Michelle D. Commander (Editor), Schomburg Center (Editor)

A new historical anthology from transatlantic slavery to Reconstruction, curated by the Schomburg Center. Unsung makes the case for focusing on the histories of Black people as agents and architects of their own lives and ultimate liberation, with a foreword by Kevin Young and introduction by Michelle D. Commander

This is the first Penguin Classics anthology published in partnership with the Schomburg Center, a world-renowned cultural institution documenting black life in America and worldwide. A historic branch of NYPL located in Harlem, the Schomburg holds one of the world's premiere collections of slavery material within the Lapidus Center for Historical Analysis of Transatlantic Slavery. Unsung will place well-known documents by abolitionists alongside lesser-known life stories and overlooked or previously uncelebrated accounts of the everyday lives and activism that were central in the slavery era, but that are mostly excised from today's master accounts. Unsung will also highlight related titles from founder Arturo Schomburg's initial rare histories and first-person narratives about slavery that assisted his generation in understanding the roots of their contemporary social struggles. Unsung will draw from the Schomburg's rich holdings in order to lead a dynamic discussion of slavery, rebellion, resistance, and anti-slavery protest in the United States.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, African American, Essays, Anthologies, Race

656 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2021

Reviews

[Wherefore Art Thou]

A great anthology, they really did well with this one. Not every section is captivating and certainly some were not the easiest to read, both in content as well as style, but the ground covered here is really impressive. It’s not simple to know where to start or what to look for when reading primary sources, but to have so many spanning an era in American history put briefly into historical context is incredible. Articles, court documents, poems, plays, abolitionist propaganda, media for kids, fictional stories, speeches, and many personal accounts create this broader web of understanding of a shameful history.

I am not sure that I was really learning a lot of new historical data on each page like one might with a more traditional book of history told by one author, but there was certainly a special kind of magic hearing from the folks involved themselves, and how their stories were told, and that is its own kind of knowledge.

[Lisa K]

Dipped into this rather than read cover to-cover.

A collection of lesser-know primary sources from NYPL's Schomburg Center.

Recollection of John Brown's raid compelling, especially since I was there about 5 years ago and since I read McBride's Good Lord Bird within the last year.

Poem "Jefferson's Daughter," by William Wells Brown (1815-1884), and published in 1849 is a paradigm-changer.

[Eric]

A truly remarkable collection of Americana from the viewpoint of slaves and abolitionists that succeeds in making you both laugh and cry as you bask in the stories of these cultural heroes.

[Dustin]

A great introduction to the Schomburg Center's collection of black voices.

[Mills College Library]

326.80922 U59 2021

[Jessica]

DNF 2%

[Jeni Enjaian]

(Actual rating: 4.25 stars)
Regular reviews will return soon as I attempt to catch up on reviews during a massive reading month. Until I catch up, the rating, and this "review" will suffice.

[Savor Your Reads ( Eliza )]

Read my full review here: https://savoryourreads.com/2021/02/un...