Beyond the Dark Side of the Port of the Moon: Rethinking the Role of Bordeaux’s Slave Trade Past

Bordeaux, historically recognized as a 'slave-trading port,' is being reexamined for its complex role in the lives of enslaved and free people of color during the 18th century. This study shifts focus from the port's wealth derived from the slave trade to the agency and experiences of individuals who reshaped the city, challenging dominant narratives that emphasize only the 'dark side' of Bordeaux's history. It theorizes how people of color redefined themselves in the city post-slave trade and during early African colonialism, imagining a 'black metropolis.' The research employs historical analysis to reconstruct these lives and communities, offering a nuanced perspective on Bordeaux's past beyond its association with slavery.

Semley, L. (2020). Beyond the Dark Side of the Port of the Moon: Rethinking the Role of Bordeaux’s Slave Trade Past. Histoire Sociale/Social History. https://doi.org/10.1353/his.2019.0065