Slavery and Genocide: The U.S. South, Jamaica, and the Historical Sociology of Evil

Orlando Patterson

In this colloquium, Professor Dr. Orlando Patterson, renowned sociologist and John Cowles Professor at Harvard University, explores the harrowing intersections of slavery and genocide in a thought-provoking lecture titled “Slavery and Genocide: The U.S., Jamaica, and the Historical Sociology of Evil.” Through comparative historical analysis, Patterson examines how both systems embody forms of social exclusion. He argues that slavery represents a „social death,“ characterized by total domination and the stripping of a person’s social identity and rights. Patterson also highlights genocide’s often-contested definitions, suggesting that even isolated killings based on group identity, such as the murder of George Floyd, may be seen as acts of genocide. The lecture invites reflection on the enduring impact of these atrocities in shaping contemporary social injustices. Free entry. The event will be held in English. Registration is requested, see below.