Lucy’s Blog

Post Slave Narratives

I think there are a lot of atrocities that one can guess slaves were held victims to in their life, but reading these narratives really solidified many of the horrid treatments that slaves had to endure in historical America. I focused primarily on the writings of Louis Hughes.  He was sold into slavery as a young child and his life story up until his acquired freedom in 1865 is really powerful. There seems to be that awful standard with which people today study history, like every slave’s life can be conformed to fit a specific path. It’s assumed that all slaves were born into it, suffered abuse and then overcame their enslavement. However, these narratives unearth so much more.

 I guess I’d have to say that I’m most disgusted with the slave bidding system and the routine physical examinations that slaves had to deal with from the white men. The wealthy plantation owners would question the slaves about their skills to no end and refused to buy slaves who had any signs of mistreatment. The whites’ ideals were completely unjust because there was no way that a slave could stop the abuse inflicted upon themselves, so if they bore several scars and handicaps it was because of their previously abusive owners.

I was also completely disturbed by the section of the book that was titled “Whipping as a Business”. I knew that owners and overseers unjustly beat their slaves but I didn’t know that they also paid people to whip their slaves for them!!! People made a living out of beating other human beings! I honestly don’t even think that I can begin to try and understand that kind of behavior.

Overall, these narratives were truly eye opening and their personal aspect added even more seriousness to the situation. Hughes included a litte foreward in his piece that answered the public’s question of why it was important to revisit this period in history.  He explained that it wasn’t in fear that another 200 year period of abusive behavior would take over the country, but it was to help future generations to interpret the lessons learned by their ancestors. Hughes said;

The enlightenment of each generation depends upon the thoughtful study of the history of those that have gone before…

Although in my mind Americans should have had more awareness of the nature of the crime they were committing, abolishing slavery in America was an enormous hurtle that they had to work together to overcome. Ultimately, this period in history was a test to everyone’s strength and willingness to unite as a country once again.