Why did Baracoon remain unpublished for nearly a century?

"Baracoon: The Story of the Last 'Black Cargo'" by Zora Neale Hurston remained unpublished for nearly a century primarily due to a combination of factors:

1. Publisher Rejections: Hurston faced significant challenges in finding a publisher for "Baracoon" during her lifetime. Publishers rejected the manuscript, in part, because of its unconventional narrative style and the use of dialect, which was not widely accepted in mainstream publishing at the time.

2. Academic and Editorial Bias: There were biases within the academic and editorial communities against certain types of narratives, particularly those that did not conform to prevailing expectations of African American literature. Hurston's unique approach to storytelling and the portrayal of cultural authenticity might have been viewed as unconventional or even controversial.

3. Concerns about Dialect Usage: The use of dialect in "Baracoon" was a distinctive feature of the narrative, capturing the authentic voices of the characters. However, some critics and publishers were cautious about presenting African American speech in dialect, fearing it might reinforce stereotypes or be perceived as challenging to readers.

4. Hurston's Focus on Authenticity: Zora Neale Hurston, known for her commitment to preserving and presenting authentic African American voices and folklore, was adamant about maintaining the integrity of the narrative. She refused to alter the language or tone to suit the preferences of potential publishers, which further limited the opportunities for the book to be published during her lifetime.

5. Limited Market Interest: Publishers may have been hesitant to take on a work that did not align with mainstream literary trends and was perceived as having limited market appeal.

It was only in 2018, decades after Zora Neale Hurston's death, that "Baracoon" was published, providing readers with a unique and important perspective on the history of the transatlantic slave trade and the experiences of Cudjo Lewis, the last known survivor of the last slave ship to arrive in the United States.