The Right Way the Safe Way: Proved by Emancipation in the British West Indies, and Elsewhere

"The Right Way the Safe Way" by Lydia Maria Child is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The book explores the impact and realities of emancipation in the British West Indies, particularly as it pertains to the lives of enslaved individuals and their former masters. Through a collection of facts and reports, it aims to dispel misconceptions about the economic decline of the colonies post-emancipation, focusing instead on the progress and improvements in society following the abolition of slavery. At the start of the work, Child sets the stage by outlining the conditions of the British West Indies before the abolition of slavery. She notes that the prevailing narrative of the planters' imminent ruin post-emancipation is misleading, supported by historical reports that reveal a long history of financial distress among plantation owners and a detrimental impact on the enslaved population. Child's argument highlights that while planters were often in economic decline, the enslaved laborers faced severe conditions that were largely ignored. The opening portion emphasizes the complex interplay between economic interests and moral imperatives surrounding slavery, laying the groundwork for a deeper analysis of the outcomes of emancipation as the narrative progresses.