Who argued that the Cayman Islands had a society with slaves rather than a slave society?

The assertion that the Cayman Islands had a society with slaves, rather than a slave society, is attributed to Christopher Williams. This distinction is significant in understanding the socio-economic structures of the islands during the period of slavery. A society with slaves indicates that slavery existed within a wider society that had various other economic activities and social roles, rather than being dominated entirely by the institution of slavery.

In the context of the Cayman Islands, this perspective highlights how the system of slavery was interwoven with other aspects of life, such as fishing, agriculture, and trade, suggesting that enslaved individuals were part of a broader community rather than the sole foundation of the economy or social hierarchy. This nuanced view reshapes our understanding of historical narratives regarding the role of enslaved individuals in Cayman society, pointing to a more complex relationship between free and enslaved peoples within the cultural and economic tapestry of the islands.