Leigh Seeley
February 22, 2018
In the 19th century, black men, women and children, commonly known as slaves, were subjected to terrible treatment by those who imprisoned them. From the paternalistic attitudes, to the poor living conditions and then finally, the resistance to the barbaric practice, slavery was a common (but horrifying) way to live life.
Paternalism was based around an agrarian hierarchy where the master is at the top and is responsible for supporting all lower ranks (wives and children of the male slaves). This system helped the slaveowners to justify slavery because it hid the brutal reality of slavery and allowed slave owners to think of themselves as responsible and kind people. It made them feel like the slaves were controlled …show more content…
The slave master held complete authority over his human property as the Louisiana law made clear: “The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his industry, and his labor; [the slave] can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what must belong to his master.5” When not, literally, slaving away, slaves could be found spending their free time fixing their huts, making dishes and relaxing with their families and friends. There were few plantation owners who were lenient with their slaves, allowing them land to grow their own food. For the most part, slaves were not allowed to read or write, but some were allowed to go to …show more content…
To this, Henson stated “my father, from all I can learn, had been a good-humored and light-hearted man… His banjo was the life of the farm, and all night long at a merry-making would he play on it while the other negroes danced. But from this hour he became utterly changed. Sullen, morose, and dogged, nothing could be done with him. The milk of human kindness in his heart was turned to gall.3” Being treated as less than animals, slaves reacted, and sadly, many others went the way of Josiah Henson’s father- subjected to cruel brutality, torn from their loved ones and
February 22, 2018
In the 19th century, black men, women and children, commonly known as slaves, were subjected to terrible treatment by those who imprisoned them. From the paternalistic attitudes, to the poor living conditions and then finally, the resistance to the barbaric practice, slavery was a common (but horrifying) way to live life.
Paternalism was based around an agrarian hierarchy where the master is at the top and is responsible for supporting all lower ranks (wives and children of the male slaves). This system helped the slaveowners to justify slavery because it hid the brutal reality of slavery and allowed slave owners to think of themselves as responsible and kind people. It made them feel like the slaves were controlled …show more content…
The slave master held complete authority over his human property as the Louisiana law made clear: “The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his industry, and his labor; [the slave] can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what must belong to his master.5” When not, literally, slaving away, slaves could be found spending their free time fixing their huts, making dishes and relaxing with their families and friends. There were few plantation owners who were lenient with their slaves, allowing them land to grow their own food. For the most part, slaves were not allowed to read or write, but some were allowed to go to …show more content…
To this, Henson stated “my father, from all I can learn, had been a good-humored and light-hearted man… His banjo was the life of the farm, and all night long at a merry-making would he play on it while the other negroes danced. But from this hour he became utterly changed. Sullen, morose, and dogged, nothing could be done with him. The milk of human kindness in his heart was turned to gall.3” Being treated as less than animals, slaves reacted, and sadly, many others went the way of Josiah Henson’s father- subjected to cruel brutality, torn from their loved ones and