Valongo Wharf and Gadsden’s Wharf: A Comparative Approach to Two Sites of Memory of Atlantic Slavery (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Charleston, South Carolina)

Valongo Wharf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina, serve as pivotal sites of memory for the Atlantic slave trade, revealing how past atrocities shape contemporary racism. A comparative analysis shows that both wharves, part of UNESCO's 'Routes of Enslaved Peoples' project, are contested spaces where narratives of slavery and its legacies are constructed through the influences of Black movements, scholars, and public authorities. The study highlights the tension between privileged and silenced memories, demonstrating how these sites reflect ambiguities in remembering slavery while reinforcing its enduring impact on society.

Suiama, S. G. (2025). Valongo Wharf and Gadsden’s Wharf: A Comparative Approach to Two Sites of Memory of Atlantic Slavery (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Charleston, South Carolina). Genealogy, 9(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy9010009