At the beginning of the 17th century, many African-Americans were captured and brought to North America in order to serve as slaves for wealthy white Americans. For 245 years a vicious cycle of capturing slaves, selling/keeping them, and working them as much as the owners pleased, continued until Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. During this time, many generations of African-Americans were then born into a lifetime of slavery, most of which could only dream of freedom (Vox). Harriet Jacobs was one of the unfortunate children born into such a life, but she was also one of the lucky few who escaped. Several years after she was officially freed she published an autobiography in which she detailed her life from slavery
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For six years of her life Jacobs was blissfully unaware that she was seen as a piece of property in the eyes of the majority of the world. When reading the statement it becomes apparent to the reader that Jacobs actually had a pretty good childhood before having her eyes opened to the real world. Up until the death of her first owner, Margaret Horniblow, Harriet was treated almost as an equal and was taught how to sew and read by Ms. Horniblow herself. After the death of her mistress the ownership of Harriet was transferred to the niece of Ms. Horniblow, Mary Norcom. But since she was only three years old at the time her father, Dr. James Norcom, became her stand in owner. Having Mr. Norcom as her owner was definitely a rude …show more content…
Jacobs’ time as the slave of Dr. Norcom was a hard and trying one. She experienced things that no young girl should have ever have to experience, especially at such a vulnerable stage in her life. Through her dedication to her longing for freedom, she was able to get herself to a point in which she would eventually be able to access that freedom. Her refusal to conform like her family sparked a chain reaction that would eventually lead to her writing and publishing her autobiography. That autobiography would inspire generation after generation of slaves to rise from the suppression of their masters and take whatever opportunities that would lead to their
For six years of her life Jacobs was blissfully unaware that she was seen as a piece of property in the eyes of the majority of the world. When reading the statement it becomes apparent to the reader that Jacobs actually had a pretty good childhood before having her eyes opened to the real world. Up until the death of her first owner, Margaret Horniblow, Harriet was treated almost as an equal and was taught how to sew and read by Ms. Horniblow herself. After the death of her mistress the ownership of Harriet was transferred to the niece of Ms. Horniblow, Mary Norcom. But since she was only three years old at the time her father, Dr. James Norcom, became her stand in owner. Having Mr. Norcom as her owner was definitely a rude …show more content…
Jacobs’ time as the slave of Dr. Norcom was a hard and trying one. She experienced things that no young girl should have ever have to experience, especially at such a vulnerable stage in her life. Through her dedication to her longing for freedom, she was able to get herself to a point in which she would eventually be able to access that freedom. Her refusal to conform like her family sparked a chain reaction that would eventually lead to her writing and publishing her autobiography. That autobiography would inspire generation after generation of slaves to rise from the suppression of their masters and take whatever opportunities that would lead to their