Slavery Is The Core Of American History, By Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass, and many other activists, argued that slavery is the core of American life; this is an accurate statement to say the least. Nothing else in the history of the United States had a larger impact on institutions, lifestyles, and ideals than slavery did. Slavery had an extensive role in political structures since its implementation because of its economic purposes, despite the terrible living conditions and cruel treatment slaves faced. Political upheaval in the forms of the Abolitionist Movement and the Civil War occured from people who disagreed with the ownership of slaves. Debates on whether or not slaves deserve equal rights and representation became central in politics. Even after slavery was abolished its effects were
It was a dehumanizing institution and exemplified the colonial belief that black people were an inferior race. In his Lectures on Slavery of 1850, Frederick Douglass discusses the conditions slaves faced and says, “The law gives the master absolute power over the slave. He may work him, flog him, hire him out, sell him, and, in certain contingencies, kill him, with perfect impunity, The slave is a human being, divested of all rights...” The inhumane and unjust treatment of slaves left a lasting impact on American political and social ideals that transcends even through the decades after slavery ended. Douglass states “It has thrown its paralysing arm over freedom of speech, and the liberty of the press; and has created for itself morals and manners favorable to its own continuance.” Since its implementation, the institution of slavery has shaped the way the United States handles policy-making and the way its people view racial
White people will never be able to understand the trial and tribulations black people face because they will never experience the particular racism that plagues the African community because of slavery. The Color Line is the separation of people due to the color of their skin because of the European notion that the lighter the skin, the superior the person. The inherent and systematic disadvantages that black people face generates major resentment, which can be seen in Frederick Douglass’ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? when he states in the final line, “There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.” The social impact of slavery is seen in all of the racial issues and injustices that have plagued the United States for decades, including the present