Miles, Tiya

All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake

(No reviews yet) Write a Review
ISBN 13:
9781800818217
author:
Miles, Tiya
format:
Paperback
publisher:
Profile Books Ltd
language:
English
Publication Year:
2024
Pages:
416
Dimensions:
19.6 x 12.8 x 3 centimetres (0.3
Genre:
History, Social History, ,
Condition:
New
Availability:
Item usually sent within 5 working days
£13.20

Description

A rough cotton bag, embroidered with just a handful of words, holds a sweeping family story of loss and love. In 1850s South Carolina, a young girl named Ashley was given a sack by her mother, Rose, before she was sold into slavery. Decades later, Ashley's granddaughter Ruth embroidered this history on the bag, including Rose's message that "It be filled with my Love always." Historian Tiya Miles follows faint archival traces to uncover the story of Rose and Ashley, revealing the lived experience of slavery in the United States. The contents of the sack - a tattered dress, handfuls of pecans, a braid of hair - speak volumes about the lives of enslaved people. Miles explores the significance of these everyday objects, including the role of enslaved labor in the cotton trade and apparel crafts, the importance of pecans in nutrition and southern culture, and the symbolism of hair among Black women. Through her meticulous research, Miles "unpacks" the sack, deepening its emotional resonance and revealing the meanings behind every item. This is a unique and innovative history that sheds new light on the lives of enslaved people and their families.

View AllClose

Related Products

Related Products

Faith: A Journey for All
Add to Cart
Quick view

Faith: A Journey for All

Carter, Jimmy

£12.93
Faith: A Journey for All by Jimmy Carter is a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of faith and its significance in human existence. The book delves into the author's personal experiences and...