Sublette's 'American Slave Coast' exposes growth of U.S. economy based on slave breeding

In 1808 the importation of slaves ceased in America, cutting off the supply of slave labor from Africa to the U.S. agricultural industry. From that time to slavery’s abolishment during the Civil War, captive African American women were used as breeders to continue the slave trade, the sale of their children bringing profits to their owners and feeding the southern economy based on slavery.

This despicable practice of using human beings for reproduction is the subject of a massive new work by Ned and Constance Sublette of New Orleans, published by Lawrence Hill Books, an imprint of Chicago Review Press. “The American Slave Coast: A History of the Slave-Breeding Industry” looks at the interstate trade of slaves, mainly from Virginia, what the authors call “the great slave breeder.”

Ned Sublette is the author of “The World That Made New Orleans,” “Cuba and its Music” and “The Year Before the Flood.” Constance Sublette has published, as Constance Ash, three novels and edited the anthology “Not of Woman Born.” The two began working on the book in 2010 when Ned Sublette was in residence at Washington College’s C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience in Chestertown, Maryland.

“That fellowship was an absolutely transformative experience for us,” he said. “The Starr Center has been the laboratory for some of the most dynamic work being done about the history of the early republic.”

Constance Sublette’s interest in biography influenced the way historical figures enter and exit the narrative, according to the publisher’s press release.

“For me it was for the women — those millions of nameless women who were mandated to be constantly pregnant, even if it killed them, yet had no legal right to their own children,” she said. “This book is for them.”
            The Sublettes will read from and discuss “The American Slave Coast” at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Tulane University’s Freeman Auditorium in New Orleans, on Tuesday at the New Orleans Community Book Center and at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Octavia Books of New Orleans.  

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire, “A Cajun Dream” and “The Letter.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Moonbot Studios takes on bullies

Moonbot Studios of Shreveport, along with the Ad Council and Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), have launched “I Am A Witness,” a digital-focused campaign featuring a new emoji and an interactive film which tells the story of a boy named Jack, who is bullied at school and online. Once the user intervenes and interacts with the video using the on-screen emoji, Jack’s world is filled with more color, turning a sad day into a happy one. To interact with the film, download the emoji and learn more, visit http://iwitnessbullying.com.

Book events this week, Nov. 8-15

John Slaughter discusses “Catahoula: Louisiana State Dog” as part of the Bayou State Book Talks at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lafayette Parish Main Library, 301 W. Congress St. in downtown Lafayette. The event is free.

The Sublettes will read from and discuss “The American Slave Coast” Tuesday at the New Orleans Community Book Center and at 6 p.m. Thursday at Octavia Books of New Orleans.  

The annual Friends of the Iberia Parish Library Book Sale will be Friday through Sunday at the New Iberia Main Library.
            Todd Mouton signs “Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop Music” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Oil Center After Hours concert with Dustin Gaspard, followed by Roddie Romero & The Hub City All-Stars at Heymann Memorial Park and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Live @ Bayou Teche with Jimmy Breaux at Bayou Teche Brewing’s LA-31 Brewery in Arnaudville.

Dixon Hearne will discuss his award-winning books — “From Tickfaw to Shongaloo,” “Native Voices, Native Lands,” “Plantatia: High-toned and Lowdown Stories of the South” and more — at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Ouachita Valley Branch Library in West Monroe. For more information, visit www.dixonhearne.com.

Deborah Burst will discuss her books, “Louisiana’s Sacred Places: Churches, Cemeteries and Voodoo” and “Hallowed Halls of Greater New Orleans” at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the West Monroe Branch Library and at 10 a.m. Thursday at the West Ouachita Branch Library and at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the JR Searcy Branch Library.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire, “A Cajun Dream” and “The Letter.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.