- Mar 11, 2015
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Say his name!
Charles Desondes led the largest slave rebellion in American history, yet few have heard his name, let alone discuss The 1811 Slave Uprising in a classroom. While black history aficionados have likely learned about Nat Turner's 1831 Rebellion, where an enslaved Black man led between fifty to seventy-five people in an uprising in Virginia, few have learned about Charles Deslondes, a Creole man who led more than five hundred people in the 1811 Slave Revolt in New Orleans, an event also referred to as the German Coast Uprising.
In an era where conservatives are spreading the nefarious myth that Black people benefited from slavery, our country needs to be reminded of the truth that Black people consistently fought to dismantle the chattel slavery system. Historians have documented at least 250 enslaved people's uprisings between "1780 and 1864."
Who was Charles Deslondes, and why did he plan a revolt?
Charles Deslondes was an enslaved Creole man born in St. Domingue, Hait, in 1789, owned by Jacques Deslondes, although he worked as a slave driver on the Woodland Plantation in St. John Parish, Louisiana. You read that right, Charles Deslondes, the hero in this story, worked as a slave driver before the uprising. This story counters everything we typically hear about slave drivers, who are often portrayed as willing participants in the oppression of other Black people. Deslondes was enslaved and forced to police Black people. Still, he used his position wisely and weaponized the trust of White enslavers to plan a revolt that threatened the very existence of the chattel slavery system. Enslaved people feared Deslondes, and White enslavers trusted him, giving him the social leverage to make his plans.
The German Uprising of 1811 was intentionally suppressed for the same reason many slave revolts are, to hide evidence of enslaved people’s resistance. Acknowledging the largest slave revolt happened in New Orleans, the city with the largest slave port in the United States counters the narrative that Black people were waiting for someone to save them from slavery.
Charles Deslondes!
Critical White Supremacy Theory doesn't teach us true history. It is the definition of historical revision and white racist propaganda.Charles Desondes led the largest slave rebellion in American history, yet few have heard his name, let alone discuss The 1811 Slave Uprising in a classroom. While black history aficionados have likely learned about Nat Turner's 1831 Rebellion, where an enslaved Black man led between fifty to seventy-five people in an uprising in Virginia, few have learned about Charles Deslondes, a Creole man who led more than five hundred people in the 1811 Slave Revolt in New Orleans, an event also referred to as the German Coast Uprising.
In an era where conservatives are spreading the nefarious myth that Black people benefited from slavery, our country needs to be reminded of the truth that Black people consistently fought to dismantle the chattel slavery system. Historians have documented at least 250 enslaved people's uprisings between "1780 and 1864."
Who was Charles Deslondes, and why did he plan a revolt?
Charles Deslondes was an enslaved Creole man born in St. Domingue, Hait, in 1789, owned by Jacques Deslondes, although he worked as a slave driver on the Woodland Plantation in St. John Parish, Louisiana. You read that right, Charles Deslondes, the hero in this story, worked as a slave driver before the uprising. This story counters everything we typically hear about slave drivers, who are often portrayed as willing participants in the oppression of other Black people. Deslondes was enslaved and forced to police Black people. Still, he used his position wisely and weaponized the trust of White enslavers to plan a revolt that threatened the very existence of the chattel slavery system. Enslaved people feared Deslondes, and White enslavers trusted him, giving him the social leverage to make his plans.
The German Uprising of 1811 was intentionally suppressed for the same reason many slave revolts are, to hide evidence of enslaved people’s resistance. Acknowledging the largest slave revolt happened in New Orleans, the city with the largest slave port in the United States counters the narrative that Black people were waiting for someone to save them from slavery.
