Teaching Slavery in Commercial Law

Public status shapes private ordering. Personhood status, conferred or acknowledged by the state, determines whether one is a party to object of contract. For much our nation’s history, law deemed all persons African descent have limited if given personhood at all. The property and partial African-Americans, combined with standards developed facilitate growth international commodities market for products including cotton, contributed current beliefs business investors even how communities color are still governed supported. impact that shift in persists today. markets nations rose prospered would not be possible without slave trade, trade legal, business, social norms place ordering while reinforcing subjugation African-Americans. Yet, many commercial professors devote class time teaching foundational historical material, any consideration slavery. To avoid slavery courses ignore an institution plays pivotal role what we do Slavery frolic, it foundational. Many American universities played trade—either receiving funds from enterprise enslaved as donations using their labor disposing them financial advancement institution. In my Core Commercial Concepts course, Uniform Code (UCC) survey covering Articles 2, 3, 4, 9, I space discussions race making connection between history concepts, slavery, cotton industry shaping norms. simulation, described this Essay, teach story Washington Lee University’s sale individuals purpose ensuring institution’s survival, then extrapolate facts review high points law. incorporate materials on legacy own provide students scenario based acquisition real construction buildings they engage campus. Essay explain methods use explore these concepts. Working framework focuses classification consider issues federalism statutory definitions ordering, discussing shape relationship African-Americans commerce.