'New Raiments of Self': African American Clothing in the Antebellum South (Dress, Body, Culture)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.21 (527 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1859731899 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-06-24 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
This excellent study departs from conventional interpretations to show that the clothing of the enslaved changed over time, served multiple functions and represented customs and attitudes which evolved distinctly from within African American communities. In short, it represents a vital contribution to African American studies, as well as to dress and textile history, and cultural and folklore studies.. Previous work on clothing in this period has tended to focus on white viewpoints, and as a consequence the dress worn by the enslaved has generally been seen as a static standard imposed by white overlords. Testimonies offer proof of African Americans' vast technical skills in producing cloth and clothing, which served both as a fundamental reflection of the peoples' Afrocentric craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities, and as a reaction to their particular place in American society. Drawing on a wide range of sources, most notably oral narratives recorded in the 19
The volume is crafted in lucid prose that is a joy to read.” African Studies Review & Newsletter. It is a brilliantly structured text, with extensive utilization of quotations to give agency to subjects. “(A) fascinating analysis of dress, body and culture
"Definite Book on Antebellum African American Clothing" according to R. Riley. Bradley Foster uses primary sources to illutrate the clothing of the African American antebellum community. A must read for anyone who is interested in the social structure of the South.
Helen Bradley Foster is a Lecturer,at the University of Minnesota.