The Black Wanderer: Reading the Black Diaspora, Resistance, and Becoming in The History of Mary Prince in the Classroom

This paper examines The History of Mary Prince as a pedagogical tool for exploring complexities within the Black Diaspora. As Paul Gilroy’s articulations Atlantic inform my approach, Prince’s circuitous journey through West Indies and England situates her process becoming one mired in longing loss. Encouraging students to consider wandering soul search not only freedom, but also solid familiar connections lays foundation merging narrative with other enslaved people traversing countries regions on ships against their will. Ample research material available survivors 1858 illegal ship enslaving Africans “Wanderer'' offer an opportunity constructions identities which formerly forge each while return Africa. Additionally, Tessa Mars’ Yinka Shonibare’s art forms bridge conceptualizing diasporic identities. Because Caribbean is often perceived perpetual space fantasy play, challenges misconceptions slavery institution peculiar United States. Of brutal slaveholder sending another island, expresses competing emotions, “At length he put me board sloop, great joy sent away Turk’s Island. I was permitted see mother or father, poor sisters brothers, say goodbye, though going strange land, might never them again.” freedom groundwork “Wanderer” serves teaching considering One these survivors, Cilucängy, expressed letter his desire homeland: “I am bound old home if God be me.” My essay draws student reactions piece entitled “Wanderer.” artwork more complex definitions Atlantic, Diaspora, transnational