Ep 5. Resistance

Season 1, Episode 5 of Enslaved is titled "Resistance" and explores the history of rebellion and resistance against slavery in the United States. Narrator and host Samuel L. Jackson takes viewers on a journey through the early forms of resistance, including slave revolts and uprisings.

The episode begins by examining the Haitian Revolution, which took place between 1791 and 1804, and was the first successful slave revolt in modern history. The revolt influenced other enslaved people throughout the world, including those in the United States.

Throughout the episode, Jackson meets with activists and historians who discuss the different forms of resistance that enslaved people employed in order to fight against their oppressors. They discuss tactics such as running away, sabotage, and the use of music and religion to communicate and organize.

Viewers are also introduced to some of the most well-known figures in the history of resistance against slavery, including Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner, and Frederick Douglass. The episode explores their contributions to the abolitionist movement, and the challenges they faced while speaking out against slavery.

One of the key themes of "Resistance" is the power of community and support networks. Enslaved people often relied on one another for support, trusting that other enslaved people would help them to escape or even hide them from their masters. This theme is examined through the stories of people who participated in the Underground Railroad and other networks of resistance.

The episode also discusses the role that white abolitionists played in the movement against slavery. While it is important to recognize the bravery and determination of enslaved people who were fighting for their own freedom, "Resistance" acknowledges the crucial role that white allies played in the struggle.

As the episode progresses, viewers are shown how the resistance to slavery shifted and evolved over time. The episode highlights the use of non-violent strategies by people like Henry David Thoreau and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who used the power of the written word to bring attention to the horrors of slavery.

Finally, "Resistance" concludes with a discussion of the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. Jackson speaks with historians about the impact that the war had on the lives of enslaved people, as well as the challenges that they faced in the aftermath of their liberation.

Overall, Episode 5 of Enslaved is a powerful exploration of the ways in which enslaved people fought against their oppressors, and the impact that these efforts had on the larger movement to abolish slavery. The episode is both informative and emotional, and it serves as a reminder of the crucial role that resistance plays in the fight for justice.