Dr. Kidada Williams explores the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 and how it affected the African American population of Philadelphia. Philadelphia was a hub for the Black community as many enslaved African Americans gained freedom there due to Pennsylvania laws. Dr. Williams explores the misinformation surrounding black immunity to the yellow fever and how their subordinate position in the community and labor system put them at a higher risk for contracting the illness and receiving less medical care.
Link to the presentation: Pandemic Perspectives_African Americans and Yellow Fever

Image credit: Map of Philadelphia and its surroundings. Image courtesy of Library of Congress Geography and Map Division.