Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston

Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston is an enlightening and moving tale of one man’s struggle to maintain his dignity and identity while in captivity. It documents the last known survivor of the Atlantic Slave Trade, Cudjo Lewis. Lewis’s story was first revealed by Hurston when she visited his home in Plateau, Alabama in 1927.

The book is Lewis’ narrative of his capture, enslavement, and eventual freedom. We hear the details of his capture, as warriors from his local tribe set upon him and his family. We learn of his voyage on the infamous “Black Cargo”, the last ever slave vessel to bring people from Africa to the United States. We learn of the deplorable conditions of the ship, and his shock and agony at being subjected to the treatment of an animal.

Upon arrival in the United States, Lewis and the other captives were sold off as slaves. We learn of Lewis’ daily routine, including his hard labor on a large cotton plantation. Lewis recounts stories of loneliness and boredom, mistreatment, and even some moments of small kindness. In the end, he was able to purchase his freedom and build a new life for himself.

Lewis’ story speaks to the inhumanity of slavery and serves as a lasting reminder of the injustices inherent in the Atlantic Slave Trade. His story also speaks to the strength and resilience of those who persevered and ultimately prevailed over the odds.

Throughout Barracoon, Hurston uses her distinctive style to tell his story with clarity and strength. She uses a combination of vivid imagery, cultural detail, and rhythmic dialogue to come as close as is humanly possible to capturing the human experience of enslavement. Her words, together with Lewis’ direct narrative insights, coalesce to create a picture of an individual’s plight in bondage.

The book has won numerous awards, including the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement and was named to the New York Times’ “10 Best Books of 2018”. Its power lies in its ability to make us confront the realities of slavery, and to give voice to a long-silenced individual who experienced its horrors firsthand. For this reason, Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” is an essential read. It will leave readers feeling both humbled and inspired by the courage, fortitude, and strength of Cudjo Lewis.