clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Will you help keep Vox free? Vox's journalism is free, so that everyone can understand our world. Reader support helps us do that. Will you give today?

The story of vaccines in America starts with an enslaved African man

How Onesimus introduced inoculation to America, saving hundreds of lives during the smallpox epidemic.

By Joel Christian Gill

Joel Christian Gill is a cartoonist, historian, and associate professor of illustration at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He wrote the words and drew the pictures in the series Strange Fruit, Tales of The Talented Tenth, and Fights: One Boy’s Triumph Over Violence. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Contributions are a key part of the future of Vox

Readers rely on Vox for clear, nuanced coverage that not only illuminates the issues, but poses solutions, too. And we rely on help from our readers: Advertising and grants cover the majority of our costs, but we count on contributions to help us close the gaps in our budget. In fact, we’re looking to reach 95,000 individual contributions before the end of the year. Will you make the next contribution right now? Our average gift is just $20 — and it goes a long way in helping us keep our work free. Vox is here to help everyone understand what’s shaping the world — not just the people who can afford to pay for a subscription. We believe that’s an important part of building a more equal society. Join that mission by making a contribution today.

Yes, I'll give $5/month
Money

It’s just a tip

Culture

Blue Eye Samurai is one of the smartest Netflix shows in years

Politics

Nikki Haley’s “rise” and the Republican flight from reality

View all stories in The Latest