Camille reads...

From the Library of Congress listen to Slave Narratives.

In this podcast ex-slave Foutain Hughes reflects on his childhood experiences before and after the end of slavery in Charlottesville, VA. Among other events, Mr. Hughes recollects slave auctions and the hardships endured by freed slaves after the end of the Civil War.

I found this question and answer rather noteworthy and it really makes slavery which may seem so distant… real:

HERMOND NORWOOD: Which had you rather be [a slave or free], Uncle Fountain?

FOUNTAIN HUGHES: Me? Which I’d rather be? You know what I’d rather do? If I thought… had any idea that I’d ever be a slave again, I’d take a gun and just end it all right away! Because you’re nothing but a dog. You’re not a thing but a dog! Night never come without you had nothing to do. Time to cut tobacco…if they want you to cut all night long out in the field you cut. And if they want you to hang all night long, you hang…hang tobacco. It didn’t matter about your tired…being tired. You’re afraid to say you’re tired. They just…well …[voice trails off]

Don’t forget it’s still Black History Month… check out all the slave narratives.

I had the pleasure of being invited to talk on a podcast about the Top Black Science Fiction characters (you know it’s Black History Month, right). And by talk, I don’t mean anything academic, just a bunch of nerds shootin’ the breeze.

Anyway, if you have time give a listen.

Also subscribe to Starbase66 podcast for all your science fiction and Star Trek nerd needs.

If the audio doesn’t work, you can listen here.