The Power of Blissful Ignorance:
Frederick Douglass was one of the most important American figures born in the 19th century. He was born into slavery, however, he taught himself to read, write and become a fantastic public speaker. In his book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, ignorance is shown to have been used as major weapon by slave owners during the slavery era in the United States. Frederick Douglass clearly conveys how ignorance was used to justify the institution of slavery to African-American slaves; in attempt to keep them accepting of their condition. However, under the surface, Frederick Douglass also conveys how blissful ignorance was used to justify the institution of slavery to American society and even slave owners …show more content…
In the begging of the book, Frederick Douglass explains and refutes the Ham argument. The Ham argument, during that time, was believed by most as the reason why Africans deserved to be slaves. He states, “it will do away the force of the argument, that God cursed Ham, and therefore American Slavery is right, If the lineal descendants of Ham are alone to be scripturally enslaved, it is certain that slavery at the south must soon become unscriptural.” In quick summary, the Ham argument claims that all descendants of the Biblical Figure Ham are to be cursed to be slaves. Ham’s descendants are African people. Frederick Douglass refutes this argument by arguing the fact that many slaves are born to white fathers, so eventually slavery will become unscriptural. Although Frederick Douglass’ argument it very sound, it is important to mention that Ham’s Curse was a misnomer. The curse had nothing to do with race and was put on Canaan. If a slave were to believe in Ham’s Curse, they would believe that slavery was warranted. The False information given to slaves, even Frederick Douglass it seems, would cause them to believe that slavery is an act of divinity rather than an act of …show more content…
Later, Frederick Douglass recounted when slave owner, Mrs. Hick killed a female slave. He stated, “Mrs. Hicks, finding the girl slow to move, jumped from her bed, seized an oak stick of wood by the fire-place, and with it broke the girl’s nose and breastbone, and thus ended her life…It did produce sensation, but not enough to bring the murderess to punishment.” Mr. Douglass states, that this murder “produced a sensation” meaning that people knew about the murder. In fact, it implies that they might have even been appalled by it. This clearly means that they understand that she was doing something wrong. Still, However, the people in the town do nothing, ignoring it all together. Although this is only one instance, it is representative of how atrocities towards African-American slaves would simply be ignored in American society. In the book, Frederick Douglass, encounters Irishmen on the docks. He helped them unload crates. After the encounter, the Irishmen have a conversation with Douglass. He writes, “He asked, ‘are ye a slave for life?’ I told him that I was. The good Irishmen seemed to be deeply affected by the statement. He said to the other that it was a pity so fine a little fellow as myself should be a slave.” It is clear that Irishmen, to some extent, didn’t believe that slavery was right because they were “deeply affect by the
Frederick Douglass was one of the most important American figures born in the 19th century. He was born into slavery, however, he taught himself to read, write and become a fantastic public speaker. In his book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, ignorance is shown to have been used as major weapon by slave owners during the slavery era in the United States. Frederick Douglass clearly conveys how ignorance was used to justify the institution of slavery to African-American slaves; in attempt to keep them accepting of their condition. However, under the surface, Frederick Douglass also conveys how blissful ignorance was used to justify the institution of slavery to American society and even slave owners …show more content…
In the begging of the book, Frederick Douglass explains and refutes the Ham argument. The Ham argument, during that time, was believed by most as the reason why Africans deserved to be slaves. He states, “it will do away the force of the argument, that God cursed Ham, and therefore American Slavery is right, If the lineal descendants of Ham are alone to be scripturally enslaved, it is certain that slavery at the south must soon become unscriptural.” In quick summary, the Ham argument claims that all descendants of the Biblical Figure Ham are to be cursed to be slaves. Ham’s descendants are African people. Frederick Douglass refutes this argument by arguing the fact that many slaves are born to white fathers, so eventually slavery will become unscriptural. Although Frederick Douglass’ argument it very sound, it is important to mention that Ham’s Curse was a misnomer. The curse had nothing to do with race and was put on Canaan. If a slave were to believe in Ham’s Curse, they would believe that slavery was warranted. The False information given to slaves, even Frederick Douglass it seems, would cause them to believe that slavery is an act of divinity rather than an act of …show more content…
Later, Frederick Douglass recounted when slave owner, Mrs. Hick killed a female slave. He stated, “Mrs. Hicks, finding the girl slow to move, jumped from her bed, seized an oak stick of wood by the fire-place, and with it broke the girl’s nose and breastbone, and thus ended her life…It did produce sensation, but not enough to bring the murderess to punishment.” Mr. Douglass states, that this murder “produced a sensation” meaning that people knew about the murder. In fact, it implies that they might have even been appalled by it. This clearly means that they understand that she was doing something wrong. Still, However, the people in the town do nothing, ignoring it all together. Although this is only one instance, it is representative of how atrocities towards African-American slaves would simply be ignored in American society. In the book, Frederick Douglass, encounters Irishmen on the docks. He helped them unload crates. After the encounter, the Irishmen have a conversation with Douglass. He writes, “He asked, ‘are ye a slave for life?’ I told him that I was. The good Irishmen seemed to be deeply affected by the statement. He said to the other that it was a pity so fine a little fellow as myself should be a slave.” It is clear that Irishmen, to some extent, didn’t believe that slavery was right because they were “deeply affect by the