Creating freedom
Book Description
Through the lens of historical archaeology, Laurie A. Wilkie invites readers on a profound journey of discovery that reveals how resilience and dignity flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. This compelling work reconstructs the lived experiences of four African American families who called Oakley Plantation in Louisiana's West Feliciana Parish home across a century of profound change.
Wilkie masterfully weaves together archaeological findings, personal interviews, and historical documents to illuminate the daily realities of those whose voices have often been silenced by traditional historical narratives. Rather than focusing solely on the structures of oppression, she uncovers the ways these families created meaning, maintained cultural identity, and built community within their circumstances.
The book offers readers a unique perspective on human adaptability and the universal quest for dignity and belonging. By examining material culture and personal artifacts alongside oral histories, Wilkie demonstrates how ordinary people navigated extraordinary challenges while preserving their humanity and cultural heritage.
For those seeking to understand the deeper currents of human experience and the ways communities sustain themselves through adversity, this work provides both historical insight and timeless lessons about the power of the human spirit. The detailed reconstruction of these families' lives offers a meditation on survival, identity, and the quiet acts of resistance that define authentic living.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 294 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Ethnic identity
- ✓ Explore Material culture
- ✓ Explore Plantation life
- ✓ Explore Louisiana, antiquities
- ✓ Explore Funde
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
- ✓ Explore African americans, louisiana
- ✓ Explore West feliciana parish (la.)
