Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo"

Zora Neale Hurston

May 8, 2018

Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" is Zora Neale Hurston's riveting account of the life of Cudjo Lewis, a survivor of the last recorded shipment of Africans to the United States in 1860. Born Oluale Kossula in the Dahomey region of Africa, Cudjo was kidnapped at age 19 and endured the Middle Passage. He arrived in Mobile, Alabama and lived as a slave for five years before gaining his freedom.The story of Cudjo Lewis has been largely overlooked in both literature and history, until now. With impeccable detail and remarkable sensitivity, Hurston brings to life the story of the last "black cargo." Through Cudjo, Hurston raises tough social issues of the slave trade, racism, and the lasting legacy of slavery. Her words create a powerful portrait of this uniquely American character.This is a fascinating and moving account of the life of the last survivor of the Middle Passage, a larger-than-life individual who refuses to be forgotten. Barracoon is a haunting reminder of our history and a testament to the strength, resiliency, and humanity of the individual spirit. It is a book to be savored, shared, and discussed until its truths are understood and embraced. Ultimately, Hurston's powerful words will move readers to contemplate the pernicious nature of racism and the need for our society to continue to heal and grow.