Analysis: 'Tall John Often Said Neither Nigger Or Master Be'

Tall John often said: “Neither Nigger nor Master Be,” implying that the Africans on the plantation had a choice in their freedom. Do you agree with that or think that was true given the circumstances they lived under? What were their choices?

I am in full agreement with the statement “Neither Nigger nor Master Be”. This statement means that you are not a “nigger” and therefore you are not a slave that has or need a Master. Once it was understood that you are not a “nigger” and you are a human being, then one’s worth can be fully comprehended. Slaves on the Plantation were bound by physical chains and the fear of punishment but the main culprit that obstructed their freedom was mental bondage. The statement above deals with the mental component to achieve freedom which most slaves at the time couldn’t grasp or understand. Tall John kept drilling that phrase in forty- seven’s head
As a slave, you are constantly bombarded with negative perceptions and descriptions about your appearance and personality. This ultimately results in the automatic correlation of black features and characteristics to negative and “ugly” characteristics. This is why 47 described 84 to be ugly, mean and unattractive. As a result of black characteristics being labeled as bad and negative, white characteristics now appears to be beautiful and ideal because of the perceived superiority and privileges that comes with it. It is because of this that 47 viewed Eloise as the most beautiful thing he ever laid his eyes on and 84 was seen as unappealing and highly unattractive. This inferiority complex is still present in today’s society and still has a negative effect on the self esteem and self perceptions of Black people. This is why I wasn’t surprised nor shocked at the representations of beauty because I experienced it firsthand which was detrimental to my personal self esteem and self