99% Invisible

100 Objects #12: "Negro Cloth"

August 7, 2026·37 min·5-min readnarrativehistory
Podzilla Summary (5 min)
TLDR
A tiny scrap of fabric labeled 'Negro cloth' reveals the deep, often obscured economic entanglement between Northern industry and Southern slavery, exposing how everyday consumer goods were shaped by racial capitalism and moral compromise. This episode reframes American history not as a s

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Guest

S

Seth Rockman

narrative on 99% Invisible

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Seth RockmanRoman MarsLonnie BunchIsaac HazardRoland HazardThomas Snell

Books

Plantation Goods, A Material History of American Slaveryby Seth Rockman

Topics

American HistoryCivil Rights HistoryHistorical FiguresLong Form JournalismRacial Justice

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