The New Statesman: politics and culture Has history overlooked the enslaved who fought for freedom? | Sudhir Hazareesingh interview
Sep 20, 2025
Sudhir Hazareesingh, a historian and politics tutor at Oxford University, delves into the often-overlooked role of the enslaved in their own emancipation. He uncovers stories of resistance dating back to the 1500s, challenging the conventional narrative of abolition. Hazareesingh discusses spiritual arguments for freedom drawn from Christian, Islamic, and indigenous traditions. He contrasts ideas of individual rights with African concepts of collective autonomy, and explores the implications of these histories for modern discussions on reparations and unity in contemporary movements.
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Western Abolitionists Are Not The Whole Story
- The conventional account credits Western abolitionists as the main drivers of emancipation in the 19th century.
- Sudhir Hazareesingh argues this view downplays the active role of the enslaved and treats Haiti as an exception.
Resistance Began With Atlantic Slavery
- Enslaved people resisted from the start of the Atlantic slave trade, with escapes and uprisings recorded in the 1500s.
- Hazareesingh documents early revolts like São Tomé (1595) to show sustained, organized resistance.
African Roots Of Resistance Tactics
- Many resistance features in the Americas were already practised in Africa, including guerrilla tactics and free settlements.
- Hazareesingh traces ideas and military practices from Africa into Caribbean revolts.
