Contested Bodies: Pregnancy, Childrearing, and Slavery in Jamaica

In an exploration of the complex intersections of motherhood, slavery, and power, this work delves into the overlooked narratives surrounding the lives of enslaved women in Jamaica. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author illuminates how the reproductive capabilities of enslaved women were a focal point of economic and social control for slaveholders. These women's bodies became battlegrounds of desire and exploitation, raising questions about autonomy, resistance, and the implications of reproduction under slavery.

The author deftly examines the experiences of these women, shedding light on their roles not just as mothers but as pivotal figures in the arduous struggle for family and identity within a brutal system. By highlighting the personal stories of slave mothers and their children, the study invites readers to consider the lasting impact of slavery on family structures and the legacy that shapes modern understandings of motherhood and race.