New Books Network Renay Richardson and Arisa Loomba, "Human Resources: Slavery and the Making of Modern Britain" (Profile Books, 2025)
Jul 15, 2025
Arisa Loomba, a PhD candidate at the University of Oxford, collaborates with Renay Richardson to shed light on the hidden legacies of slavery in modern Britain. They delve into surprising connections between everyday items like denim jeans and gym equipment to the transatlantic slave trade. The discussion covers historical biases in maternal care impacting Black women today and the connection of football clubs to slavery’s financial roots. Their exploration reveals how Britain's present is intertwined with its darker past, urging recognition and accountability.
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Color's Deep Slavery Connections
- Color linked to slavery spans physical dyes and conceptual racial classifications.
- Pigments like indigo and logwood were traded for slaves and shaped racial control and resistance.
Supply Chains Fueled Slavery
- Industries like gunpowder and cloth production fueled the transatlantic slave trade.
- British rural and urban workers were entangled in supporting slavery’s profits and continuation.
Scientists Benefited From Slavery
- Historical narratives often erase enslaved people's exploitation behind scientific and cultural collections.
- Figures like Isaac Newton and Hans Sloane depended on enslaved labor and artifacts for their work.