Published: July 31, 2023
The Zong was a slave ship. It was heading towards Jamaica when the captain gave the order to throw 132 enslaved Africans overboard. Upon returning to England, the owners of the slaves wished to be compensated the full value for each enslaved African lost. The jury first ruled in favor of the ship’s owners — ruling that since it was permissible to kill animals for the safety of the ship, it was also permissible to kill enslaved people for the same reason. The insurance company appealed, and the case was retried. This time the court decided that the Africans on board the ship were people.
Resources
- The Zong: A Massacre, the Law and the End of Slavery - James Walvin
Ready, Set, Grow!
OEA provides high-quality, member-led professional learning to help educators improve their professional practice, support student success and excellence, and build community with other educators across Oregon.
Together we're stronger. Together we're heard.
You belong in the movement! Join today to belong to the movement of educators and school staff fighting for the pay and working conditions we all deserve.
