As we conclude the remarkable year-long celebration of the late Hon. Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday and join the people of Barbados in commemorating their 59th year of independence from British rule, we reflect on Ms. Chisholm’s enduring legacy as a trailblazer, educator, and champion for justice. Though born in New York City, Chisholm spent her formative years in her maternal homeland of Barbados—a nation whose vibrant culture and storied history profoundly shaped her character.
Barbados, tragically, was also the site where the infamous Slave Code of 1661 was enacted, setting the blueprint for the treatment of enslaved Africans and shaping the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade for generations to come. In this crucible of both suffering and resilience, Chisholm, and so many others, found the strength and determination to rise and inspire.
This historical context deeply connects to the story brought to life in the much-talked-about Hulu “Washington Black” series, which Caribbean Heritage is honored to spotlight in an exclusive interview with its creator, director and writer, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Esi Edugyan, author of the bestselling novel from which the series was adapted. The interview is hosted by Barbadian journalist, Zahra Spencer.
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, Washington Black follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny. When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love. As he navigates uncharted lands and impossible odds, Wash finds the courage to imagine a future beyond the confines of the society into which he was born.
“Washington Black” stands apart from traditional narratives about slavery by weaving a tale that is much about liberation, self-discovery, resilience, and culture and offers viewers a refreshing perspective that centers on hope and triumph.
We invite you to join us HERE in watching the interview, as we continue to honor heritage, remember history, and pursue the vision of possibility that Shirley Chisholm championed for us all and reflected in the tale of George Washington Black.
