Celia (Celia, a Slave)

"Celia (a Slave)" is a court case from 1855 that centered on the legality of slavery in the United States. It involved Celia, an enslaved woman in Missouri, who killed her enslaver when he tried to assault her. The case highlighted the complex and harsh realities of slavery, especially regarding the rights and agency of enslaved people. Ultimately, Celia was tried and executed for her actions, reflecting the systemic injustices of the time. The case is often discussed in history and law for its examination of slavery’s moral and legal conflicts.