An associate professor at Howard University, Dr. Kerr-Ritchie is an accomplished author and speaker on the topics of slavery, abolition, and post-emancipation societies. Most recently, Dr. Kerr-Ritchie has published Rebellious Passage, the first comprehensive history of the Creole ship revolt, its consequences, and its relevance to global modern history.

 

In late October 1841, the US slave trading ship Creole departed from Richmond, Virginia, transporting 139 captives bound for New Orleans, Louisiana. On November 9, 19 rebels seized the ship and steered it toward Nassau in the Bahamas. The next four days witnessed diplomatic wrangling between the US Consul and British colonial officials, military occupation of the vessel by West Indian troops, and the anchoring of hundreds of local boats around the Creole in the harbor. After British officials declared they would not interfere if the captives decided to leave the slave ship, more than 130 of these former American slaves took the short walk to freedom. The former captives scattered across the Bahamas and Jamaica. This remarkable story has been told in bits but never fully narrated, documented, and carefully examined until now.

 

During his visit, Dr. Kerr-Ritchie engaged with seniors in Dalton History teacher Donald Okpalugo's class to discuss the book's theme and ways to examine historical documents. Thank you to Dr. Kerr-Ritchie for his verve and commitment to this topic and for taking the time to share his viewpoints with our community.