History Of Slavery In The United States
History marks 1619 as the beginning of slavery in the US when some Dutch traders brought around 19 Africans from a captured Spanish ship. On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln decreed the freedom of all slaves, which was later reflected in the 13th Amendment of the constitution of the US. During the period of slavery, hundreds of thousands of black people were sold, and purchased just like any other goods in the market. It is almost unbelievable, and unimaginable how people were deprived of their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, moreover, were made to work like machines. I think this the reason why we value freedom the most in today’s world.
After the abolishment of slavery, many African-American writers came
up with the stories of slaves reflecting the then American society. Harriet Ann Jacobs was one of them. After she freed herself escaping the slavery, she wrote an autobiographical novel, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, and later became an abolitionist speaker and reformer. In her aforementioned novel, she writes, “…., and though we were all slaves, I was so fondly shielded that I never dreamed I was a piece of merchandise, trusted to them for safe keeping, and liable to be demanded of them at any moment” (Jacobs 2187). In this heart-breaking excerpt, she recalls her childhood and remembers that she was ignorant of herself being a slave girl. I almost broke in tears while reading this text. It is devastating how she refers her childhood-self as a piece of merchandise. This gives us a clear idea of the lives of slaves, and their families. I feel very fortunate to not have gone through what Jacobs had to.
After the abolishment of slavery, many African-American writers came
up with the stories of slaves reflecting the then American society. Harriet Ann Jacobs was one of them. After she freed herself escaping the slavery, she wrote an autobiographical novel, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, and later became an abolitionist speaker and reformer. In her aforementioned novel, she writes, “…., and though we were all slaves, I was so fondly shielded that I never dreamed I was a piece of merchandise, trusted to them for safe keeping, and liable to be demanded of them at any moment” (Jacobs 2187). In this heart-breaking excerpt, she recalls her childhood and remembers that she was ignorant of herself being a slave girl. I almost broke in tears while reading this text. It is devastating how she refers her childhood-self as a piece of merchandise. This gives us a clear idea of the lives of slaves, and their families. I feel very fortunate to not have gone through what Jacobs had to.