In this episode of Wide Awake America, host Nadine Smith engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Rebecca Hall, a distinguished scholar, activist, and educator. Dr. Hall is the author of the graphic novel “Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts,” illustrated by Hugo Martinez. She holds degrees from Swarthmore College, Berkeley Law, and a PhD in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has been a fellow at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute and is currently a fellow at the Stanford Humanities Center.
Dr. Hall discusses the transformation of her dissertation into a graphic novel, driven by the desire to make her extensive research on women-led slave revolts accessible to a broader audience. This conversation delves into her journey of uncovering these hidden histories, the challenges she faced in academia, and the significance of sharing these stories.
Nadine and Dr. Hall explore the motivations behind her research, the first women-led revolt she discovered, and how her background in law and history uniquely positioned her to unlock these narratives. They discuss the powerful concept of “historical imagination” and the emotional and spiritual journey Dr. Hall undertook, including the ancestral rituals that helped her through the process.
Dr. Hall sheds light on the broader implications of erasing women’s roles in slave revolts and the importance of reclaiming this history. They also discuss the ongoing challenges of teaching and preserving this history in the face of current political efforts to whitewash and distort it.
Tune in for an enlightening and inspiring discussion about resilience, historical reclamation, and the power of storytelling in uncovering the truths of our past. Dr. Hall’s work is a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance and the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of those who fought against the institution of slavery.
Additional Information:
- Follow Dr. Rebecca Hall on Twitter @WakeRevolt for updates and engaging discussions.
- Visit her website at Rebecca Hall PhD for more information on her work, including the free curriculum developed for “Wake.”
- “Wake” is available in multiple languages and as an audio drama on Audible.
- Stay tuned for Dr. Hall’s upcoming projects, including a reissue of her father’s book “Negro Liberation” and a new comic on reconstruction and slavery in the North.
Join us for a powerful episode that brings to light the untold stories of women-led resistance and the importance of understanding our true history.
