Something that has been intriguing
to me for a reason unbeknown to me is this idea of justification of slavery. In
class we discussed that it was natural, they were different, and the “Curse of
Ham” were all justifications of slavery. I find all three of these justifications
to each are interesting in their respective cases, but I really wanted to
highlight the natural justification.
First off, the idea that it was a
natural thing for the Africans to be born into slavery is debatable to say the
least. Who is to decide who is born into what title other than God Almighty
himself? I can guarantee it isn’t the Europeans who were anointed with that
task (it was a little above their pay grade). Regardless of such, it was normal
and the status quo of life that Africans were seen as slaves and property
during these times. Therefore, the “justification of slavery” is fair and
correct based on this fact. Although we, presently, may want to argue such
point because it’s not right or it doesn’t seem fair to us; it is not our place
to say since we did not live and experience such. This is where I wrestle with
issues, especially in history courses. How are we to say what should have,
could have, would have been done differently back then. It’s easy to look back
and say yes they were wrong or no they were right, but if we were implanted
into that society at that time I do not believe we would be able to change much
or have much say. This is the case because what we know and believe would be
changed because those two things are based off of lived experiences and
familial backgrounds. If we are implanted into that situation who’s to argue
that we would not be doing the same and be a part of that same affluent
society.
The big business of that era was
the slave trade; the big business of present day is oil and gas. American
economy is driven by profits, as is any economy. Therefore, slaves provided a
form of cheap and effective labor, which also made economic sense to have. I am
by no means advocating slavery, but slavery had been around for so long
previously that it was just as normal as walking almost. The normality of
slavery in people’s minds made it justifiable and the profits of such also made
it justifiable. Slavery did many great things for this country, but also
brought an abundance of poor light on this country as well. Without slavery who
knows what may have happened to our country, but since it did happen we were
able to experience the likes of MLK, Malcolm X, and so on. Adversity brings
about the best and worst in people and with the occurrence of slavery we were
able to see the worst in some people, but also the best in people showed up
both of color and white.
Austin Henyon
I have an issue with the sentence, "Slavery did many great things for this country, but also brought an abundance of poor light on this country as well." To me, this sentence is saying that slavery was beneficial for our country, but the one downfall was that it made our country look bad. What about all of the terror, trauma and injustices that it caused for a massive group of individuals that is still in effect today? In my opinion, these effects dramatically trump giving our nation a bad reputation.
ReplyDeleteI see where you are coming from when you point out that slave owners justified slavery as natural and acceptable because Africans were unlike the Europeans (looked and talked differently), but I think that slavery was enforced based on more complex, internal factors. I think that the main justification for slavery, especially during the 17th century, was the economic benefits of slave labor. It is often easy for people to let money and power supersede their morals and their humanity, and I think that this was the case for slave-owning American societies. Slavery allowed families to enrich themselves and climb the social ladder, and I think that people used their own success and power to justify slavery. Slavery did help to build the initial Thirteen Colonies, however, I do not agree with your statement that, “slavery did many great things for this country.” If Africans had not been the components involved, then perhaps Europeans would have used other races for the forced labor. Lastly, I’m not quite sure if I understand what you mean in your final sentence describing how “adversity brought out the best in people of both white and color.” I’d like to know who, or what example you are referencing here because to me, it seems that during this period only the worst in white colonists was seen.
ReplyDeleteI am having trouble grappling with your last paragraph. I disagree with your statement, "Slavery did many great things for this country, but also brought an abundance of poor light on this country as well."
ReplyDeleteSlavery didn't do anything to this country. European colonists did everything. They decided to partake in racial slavery that allowed them to take credit for the successes and freedoms of a country granted to them by the same people they decided to unjustly rob of their freedom.
Also, I do not see how we were able to see "the best and worst in people in the occurrence of slavery." While I agree that black resilience and transcendence (through the establishment of African American culture) was a beneficial byproduct to combat the horrors and confinements of slavery, I see no way in which it brought out the best in white people. American colonists got to lay literal claim on work that they took little to no part in- fighting in the Revolutionary War, creating economic stability through cotton production, etc.- by buying and commodifying a race of people. If by your statement, you are referencing paternalism, these paternalist slaveholders still owned slaves and took part in the slave trade, they were just a little nicer by allowing slaves to stay with their families and looking out for their slaves while still making it clear that their bodies and lives were the property of their owner. If you are referencing white abolitionists, if racial slavery had not been enacted in the first place, their work would not have been needed.
You say "Adversity brings about the best and worst in people and with the occurrence of slavery we were able to see the worst in some people, but also the best in people showed up both of color and white." While enslaved, African Americans did not have the opportunities to show their best. If they were free who know how much greatness could have been achieved. The were unable to receive an education, unable to prove their worth to society and thus deemed only suitable to be slaves. Yes African slaves faced adverse conditions but that didn't allow them to show their best, but rather proved that they could overcome.
ReplyDelete"Slavery did many great things for this country, but also brought an abundance of poor light on this country as well. Without slavery who knows what may have happened to our country, but since it did happen we were able to experience the likes of MLK, Malcolm X, and so on." While reading your post, I was extremely troubled by your insights noted in the last paragraph--I quoted them above to demonstrate which comments I found specifically troubling. There is no way to view slavery as a beneficial institution. Slavery was an institution of brutality and incomprehensible atrocities. Comparing slavery to the modern day oil industry is illogical, to me, considering slavery exploited and commodified an entire race of people. Although charismatic figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were able to come to the forefront as leaders for the black freedom struggle, the traumatic side effects of slavery are still evident to this day. These men were both assassinated for combating the internalized racism within America that was a byproduct of the institution of slavery. Although I concur that both men are noble figures, nothing noble came out of the institution of slavery. Enslaved individuals did create culture and community to survive the institution of slavery, however; the adversity they faced was because of white people. Slavery did not in any way bring out the best in white people but instead showed the degree of inhumanity that individuals were capable of.
ReplyDelete