"Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made" is a book written by Eugene D. Genovese, an American historian, in 1974. The book explores the experiences of African-American slaves in the antebellum South and offers a comprehensive analysis of their culture, community, and resistance strategies.
The title, "Roll, Jordan, Roll," is derived from a spiritual song that was popular among African-American slaves. The song's lyrics express both the hardships of slavery and the hope for deliverance and freedom. Genovese uses this spiritual as a metaphor for the slaves' struggle for liberation.
Genovese's work is significant for its in-depth examination of the social and cultural life of slaves, as well as its focus on their agency and resistance within the oppressive system of slavery. The book delves into various aspects of slave life, including family structures, religious beliefs, work routines, and forms of resistance such as sabotage and rebellion.
While the book has been praised for its scholarly approach and insights, it has also faced criticism for its interpretation of the relationship between slaves and slaveholders. Genovese's Marxist perspective and emphasis on the autonomy of slave culture have been subjects of debate among historians.
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