Georgia Author Reveals the Nearly Forgotten History of Irish Slaves

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 8, 2010 -- November 8, 2010, Atlanta, GA- Did you know that for several hundred years, the English routinely sent the Irish as slaves to the West Indies, Barbados, and many other places, including the American colonies? At first, these were political prisoners and those accused of being vagrants, or women and children who were left without male protection when their men were enslaved. Later, they were “indentured servants,” often lured by false promises and sold into servitude to owners who had absolute power over them.

Marietta, GA native Rhetta Akamatsu is of Irish descent herself, and feels that this almost forgotten history needs to be more well-known. “Too many people, “she says, “believe that slavery is a racial issue. Instead, it is a human issue. Many people have suffered the world over due to the practice of humans owning other humans.”
For this reason, Ms. Akamatsu has written The Irish Slaves: Slavery, Indenture and Contract Labor Among Irish Immigrants. This illustrated, easy to read volume will open the eyes of many readers, and is a must for anyone with an interest in human history.
The Irish Slaves is currently available on Amazon.com in print and Kindle editions, and will be available in fine bookstores on and offline soon.

american history     history     history of slavery     irish     Irish history     Irish slaves     slavery     west indies