Shadows of Suffering in Buccaneers Paradise

Enter the paradoxical era of 1700–1750, when St. Eustatius thrived as a bustling trade hub at the cost of enslaved lives. In this turbulent backdrop, both free and enslaved women defied oppression and uncovered how the enigmatic blue bead transcended its role as mere currency, transforming into a powerful emblem of resilience and survival.

Host: Fi de Wit

Guests: Dr. Jacqueline Allain, Mrs. Gay Soutekouw, Dr. Zara Anishanslin, Dr. Pardis Zahedi, Mr. Raimie Richardson, Dr. Ruud Stelton

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In “Shadows of Suffering in Buccaneers Paradise,” we travel to St. Eustatius (1700–1750), an era of booming trade, shifting European alliances, and the exploitation of enslaved labor—particularly women. Fragmented records reveal how free women inherited property and shaped local economies, sometimes defying rigid colonial norms. Meanwhile, enslaved women bore the dual burden of forced labor and reproductive exploitation yet preserved cultural traditions and asserted agency against all odds. Most intriguing is the island’s mysterious blue bead—initially just a piece of currency, it became a hidden emblem of defiance and survival. Join us as we unravel Stacia’s paradoxical prosperity and the quietly courageous acts that challenged a system built on human suffering.

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Produced by Simpler Media