David G. Gil, a Professor Emeritus of Social Policy at Brandeis University, theorizes that throughout history people have been motivated to evolve, maintain and modify their lifestyles in order to fulfill their basic needs. In order for this to happen, Gil explains that there are six needs that need to be fulfilled. These six needs include, biological materials, social-psychological, productive creative, security, self-actualization and spiritual needs (27). When any of these necessities are denied, structural violence ensues upon those effected. During the Antebellum period, from the years 1789 to 1861, blacks were enslaved and felt the repercussions of not having access to their basic human needs. Slaves were living in an environment that
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Having grown up during the antebellum period, specifically in the 1780’s, and having had first hand experience of structural violence as a slave, Gabriel’s mind was influenced by the American Revolution, the Uprising in Saint Domingue and the success of free blacks (PBS 1). He had witnessed the oppressed successfully fight their oppressors and believed that if he could get the slaves to rise up and fight then the poor whites would join in with the slave’s cause. Within weeks of planning, Gabriel’s theory proved correct and his revolt reached out to towns all over Virginia. Gabriel had planned the most far reaching revolt ever in US history (1). Because of it’s enormity, slaves, free blacks, white workers, Frenchmen and militant abolitionists joined in to fight against the Southern slave holders (1). On Saturday August 30th, 1800 the slaves set out to change their unfortunate circumstances, but a downpour began and the plan was moved to the following day (The Library of Virginia 1). Not being able to handle the pressure, two slaves told their masters of their plan. Patrolmen and state militia began searching for the rebel slaves and send about 30 to jail to await trial in the court of “Oyer and Terminer”; which was a special court in which slaves were tried without the benefit of a jury. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, Gabriel had gotten away (PBS 1). A few months later, after stowing away on a ship, Gabriel’s location was alerted to the authorities in exchange for a reward. After docking in Norfolk, Gabriel was arrested and on October 6th was put on trial, where he refused to testify. He was hung on October 10th, separated from his fellow rebels and in the center of the town gallows. In total, 26 slaves were hung, at least 65 slaves were tried in court, some were transported to other
Having grown up during the antebellum period, specifically in the 1780’s, and having had first hand experience of structural violence as a slave, Gabriel’s mind was influenced by the American Revolution, the Uprising in Saint Domingue and the success of free blacks (PBS 1). He had witnessed the oppressed successfully fight their oppressors and believed that if he could get the slaves to rise up and fight then the poor whites would join in with the slave’s cause. Within weeks of planning, Gabriel’s theory proved correct and his revolt reached out to towns all over Virginia. Gabriel had planned the most far reaching revolt ever in US history (1). Because of it’s enormity, slaves, free blacks, white workers, Frenchmen and militant abolitionists joined in to fight against the Southern slave holders (1). On Saturday August 30th, 1800 the slaves set out to change their unfortunate circumstances, but a downpour began and the plan was moved to the following day (The Library of Virginia 1). Not being able to handle the pressure, two slaves told their masters of their plan. Patrolmen and state militia began searching for the rebel slaves and send about 30 to jail to await trial in the court of “Oyer and Terminer”; which was a special court in which slaves were tried without the benefit of a jury. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, Gabriel had gotten away (PBS 1). A few months later, after stowing away on a ship, Gabriel’s location was alerted to the authorities in exchange for a reward. After docking in Norfolk, Gabriel was arrested and on October 6th was put on trial, where he refused to testify. He was hung on October 10th, separated from his fellow rebels and in the center of the town gallows. In total, 26 slaves were hung, at least 65 slaves were tried in court, some were transported to other