Melton Mclaurin's Celia, A Slave

Fredrick Douglass once stated, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Unfortunately, the period of slaves was a very tragic era in U.S. history. Abolitionists, and slaves had to struggle each day for freedom to be given to all slaves in America. Their struggles and obstacles they had to face everyday got them closer and closer to the state of freedom, which is explained though Douglass’ quote. Celia’s fatal court case showed past America and present society how African American’s social, sexual, and political ramifications of slavery were emphasized during the dark slave period of American history. In consequence, of these horrifying occurrences slaves had to encounter brought them closer to freedom and equality for all. Slaves had the opportunity to form a limited social life with other slaves in their same farm. Relationships with other slaves outside their farm was discouraged but still occurred at times. In the book Celia, A Slave shows how Celia had a social life and even a romantic relationship with another slave on the same farm. Melton McLaurin, the author of Celia, A Slave, mentions Celia’s relationship with another slave, “At some time before 1855, Celia became romantically involved with another of Newsom’s slaves, a man named George.” This shows that slaves were part of romantic …show more content…
The social life of slaves can be seen through Celia’s relationship with George and the daughters of Newsom. The sexual aspects of slaves can be seen through all the laws that were mentioned in the book, which stated that all women would be protected from sexual assault which in reality excluded slaves. The political aspects of slaves can be seen during the unfair trial Celia received. At the end, the tragedies and events that slaves went through brought them closer each day to