Surviving Enslavement: Disease and Healing in the Black Atlantic
Sanjana Sharma & Austin Pettay Slave Healer creating a natural remedy for patient (2019) In the early 1800s, during the midst of global slave trade, the primary goal for the plantations was to create as much profit as possible. Unfortunately, this created extremely harsh health issues for the enslaved people working on these plantations. Genuine illnesses the slaves came down with were viewed as them making excuses, being inherently lazy and simply not wanting to work. In addition to that, they were punished for being sick and were given quick-fix medical help. When the slaves were moved to America, they brought over their native roots, plants, and herbs that were used as natural healing remedies. These native roots and plants were brought over for the white healers. So how did…