Frederick Douglas An American Slave
The debate about paternalism and slavery in the U.S. stems back to the early 1800s. Some individuals have strongly believed that slavery was in the "best interests" of the slaves and that slaves saw their masters in a comparable manner as children view guardians. In, Roll, Jordan, Roll, for example, Eugene D. Genovese promises a thorough examination of the slavery from different points of view. However, the book leans toward this paternalistic point of view by noting a number of sociologists and historians who state that the situation for most slaves surpassed that of the European working class, as well as many in America at the time. This was one of the reasons slaves did not unite in a rebellion, Genovese says. In contrast, others have viewed paternalism like the relationship between an abusive father and child, or even lower animal form, where the slaves depended totally on the slaveholders for their existence and had no control over their fate. They did not rebel because of sheer force and control. What did Frederick Douglas believe was the truth about paternalism? It is interesting to read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave with this question in mind. When writing his autobiography, Douglass
Third, the description of Aunt Hester's beating paints slaves as nonhuman animals who slave owners can are allowed to treat in any way they see fit. In the second chapter, Douglass mentions the chosen few who have the opportunity to live in Baltimore. uses a journalistic, nearly scientific, style of reporting rather than an emotional, personally involved literary approach--although he would like to (as he notes in one place, "I wish I could commit to paper the feelings with which I beheld it. The first chapter of the Narrative gives three instances of how slaves are considered lesser beings and at the mercy of their masters-or the second, more negative definition of paternalism. This is perhaps, says Douglass, "to hinder the development of the child's affection toward its mother, and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child. if one slave refused to be corrected, and escaped with his life, the other slaves would soon copy the example. While there is mostly natural connection among slaves, he notes, the system leads to disagreement among slaves. One cannot write about Douglass' autobiography without mention of his comments on religion. Those who most closely follow such Scripture as "He that knoweth his master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes" or the likes of Master Thomas who "was one of the many pious slaveholders who hold slaves for the very charitable purpose of taking care of them" (Chapter IX) believe that they are indeed doing something "in the best interests" of their slaves. Sadly, added Douglass, this often leads to slave against slave, where each thinks he is the better because he has the "better" and kinder master. In addition, he had yet to gain his freedom. " Nor is it easy to forget the songs the slaves sing on the way to the Great House that demonstrate the dehumanizing character of slavery. This lends much credence to the above stated belief that no rebellion occurrs due to fear of retaliation and force. Therefore, it is not surprising that "slaves, when inquired of as to their condition and the character of their masters, almost universally say they are contented, and that their masters are kind.
Common topics in this essay:
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,
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