Brazil LAB Partners Explore Slavery in Princeton and Brazil
On November 30th, the Brazil LAB hosted an event on the history of enslavement in Princeton and Brazil, with over fifty people from the larger Princeton community in attendance.
Andre Biehl, Princeton High School student, presented original research on the role of the institution of slavery in the very foundation and development of the borough of Princeton and the patterns of escape and the trajectories of runaway slaves.
Following Biehl, historian and Brazil LAB teaching fellow Miqueias Mugge presented findings from his research with Firestone Library’s archival sources, showing how American officers and businessmen stationed in Brazil reported on slavery and rationalized it there and back in the US.
After the talks, the audience was treated to a unique viewing in Firestone’s Rare Books and Special Collections. Fernando Acosta-Rodríguez, Librarian for Latin American Studies, presented the 19th century documents used in Mugge's research and other relevant documents on Brazilian slavery.
The event was part of the Being Human Festival 2018, organized by the Humanities Council and co-sponsored by Princeton High School.