Some thoughts on impacts of 19th century slavery

[Morwen Edhelwen]

So it's my last term at high school (yay!) and recently I was in the school library reading books... on African slavery in the Americas. One quote stood out for me. It's something like this: [q]Although masters may have despised their slaves, on the plantations they were dependent on them inextricably entangled in a macabre relationship.&quot; It's a paraphrase of the actual quote, which I can't find, because I'll have to do a search on the book on Google Books: I think it's <span style="font-style: italic">A Peculiar Institution; Slavery In The Plantation South</span>.

So that quote made me think that the real impact of Black African slavery in the 19th century is that basically it hurt everyone. The masters were terrified of revolt by the people they enslaved and they couldn't recognise them as humans. Enslaving someone and selling them practically requires not seeing them as human. Obviously it's a lot more complicated than that, but that's my (basic) impression, based on the stuff I've read and how much I've been thinking about it. It's very complex- it can't easily be simplified and generalised. I'm probably thinking about it because I've seen Amazing Grace several times at school. BTW, anyone seen that movie?

[Morwen Edhelwen]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MorwenEdhelwen1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So it's my last term at high school (yay!) and recently I was in the school library reading books... on African slavery in the Americas. One quote stood out for me. It's something like this: [q]Although masters may have despised their slaves, on the plantations they were dependent on them inextricably entangled in a macabre relationship.&quot; It's a paraphrase of the actual quote, which I can't find, because I'll have to do a search on the book on Google Books: I think it's <span style="font-style: italic">A Peculiar Institution; Slavery In The Plantation South</span>.

So that quote made me think that the real impact of Black African slavery in the 19th century is that basically it and the racism that was used to justify it has effects on everyone. The masters were terrified of revolt by the people they enslaved and they couldn't recognise them as humans because then they would have to face some really uncomfortable questions about exploiting human beings. Enslaving someone and selling them practically requires not seeing them as human. Obviously it's a lot more complicated than that, but that's my (basic) impression, based on the stuff I've read and how much I've been thinking about it. It's very complex- it can't easily be simplified and generalised. I'm probably thinking about it because I've seen Amazing Grace several times at school. BTW, anyone seen that movie?



</div></div>*added to the above: Of course, the slaves were affected much more significantly as there was always the possibility of physical punishment, being sold away from their families, widespread racism and the fact they were literally property.

[lonewolf]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

African Slavery still exist in Africa. Research the 1996 article from the Baltimore Sun by Gregory Kane and Gibert Lewthwaite who traveled to Sudan and purchased two youths for the price of $500.00.

Heres a link to the PBS transcript. The two reporters were interviewed about their exploits.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/africa/july-dec96/sudan_8-19.html

[Morwen Edhelwen]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

lonrwolf: yes and there is a book about it written by a Nuba woman who was abducted from her village at the age of 12... Mende Nazer. She's a human rights activist. Thanks for the link.

Reading through the transcript... it's interesting. I wonder how much of the non-awareness in the outside world is due to some people in countries where slavery still exists either not being actually aware of the exact situation themselves because it's done in secret, so hardly anyone knows unless they're doing it themselves or know someone who is.

[lonewolf]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I wonder how much of the non-awareness in the outside world </div></div>

Well, me thinks there is a certain amount of denial among some influential people.

PS Congratulations, and good luck in your studies.

Elusive On Sudan Slavery p.11
Posted: 8/31/1996 | By: Editorial Staff
<span style="font-weight: bold">THE LAST TIME the Rev. Louis Farrakhan spoke to reporters, he challenged them to put up or shut up about reports of slavery in the Sudan.
&quot;If slavery exists, why don't you go as a member of the press and look inside Sudan, and if you find it, then you come back and tell the American people what you found,&quot; Farrakhan, who denies slavery exists in Africa, told the National Press Club in Washington.
Two Baltimore Sun reporters, Gilbert A. Lewthwaite and Gregory Kane, did just that ? and reported in a recent series that they actually bought two Sudan boys and returned them to their father.</span>
When he talked to the National Association of Black Journalists meeting in Nashville last week, however, Farrakhan brushed off the topic.
&quot;The Sudan. How many of you are ready to go there and look at it and report accurately ? even if you have to go against what is said about there?&quot; Farrakhan said, without elaborating.
As part of the NABJ program, after his remarks, Farrakhan was questioned on stage by Warner Saunders, the veteran anchor with WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Saunders said that in conversation with Farrakhan before the program, the Nation of Islam leader &quot;just fluffed off&quot; his direct question about the Baltimore Sun series.
If Farrakhan missed seeing slaves on his visit to the Sudan, he apparently found some of them at the NABJ convention, where he repeatedly referred to African-American journalists as &quot;you slave writers, you slave media people.&quot;

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/PrintArticle/Elusive-On-Sudan-Slavery-p-11

[mountaingal]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

*stick a pin* hi, Fireman. who u rooting for in the Olympics?

[Morwen Edhelwen]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

Thanks, lonrwolf.

[lonewolf]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*stick a pin* hi, Fireman. <span style="font-weight: bold">who u rooting for in the Olympics</span>? </div></div>

Hi MGee, how's my favorite frog? My adopted country of Jamaica. (Fireman patching up pin prick)

[lonewolf]

Re: Some thoughts on 19th century slavery

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MorwenEdhelwen1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks, lonrwolf. </div></div>

You are very welcome.