Keywords
gender
slave and free labor
slave women and emancipation
labor transition systems
How to Cite
Abstract
Translated from english: Silvia Cogollos Amaya
This paper examines the role of women of colour in Cuba's transition to free labour (1870 - 1886). It was found that a significant majority of petitions for freedom or for amelioration of the conditions of slavery was made by women. Women had a major, and specific, role to play in resisting slavery. This is attributed to various factors Women's responsibility for their own families meant that they had a vested interest in manipulating the legal system in order to free their children or relatives, or ameliorate their conditions. Many female slaves were also involved, due to their role as domestics, in the white family and household. Women of color thus had a role in the crossing of boundaries. This sometimes extended to sexual relations with white men and to their part in transmitting Afro-Cuban culture. The language lased in appeals shows not only that, women had a different material position within the slave system, but that their discursive positioning was different also. The system spoke primarily to the subjugation of black males by whites, leaving women in an ambiguous position which sometimes worked to their advantage.
The fact that women of colour have largely been omitted from the writing of Cuban history means that these kinds of issues have not been examined in the Cuban context. An approach which includes both race and gender perspectives may lead us substantially to rethink Cuban history in this period.
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