Economic and Sexual Oppression of Female Slaves
The article "Female Slave Resistance: The Economics of Sex" by Darlene C. Hine, focuses mainly on showing that slavery was equally as harsh for females as it was for males. In the article, Hine shows that female slaves, unlike male slaves, faced two forms of oppression. She explains and gives examples of the three main forms of slave resistance used by the females. While all slaves faced economic exploitation, women were also forced to deal with the hardships of sexual oppression. Sexual oppression was exemplified through females being required to take care of their masters' children, many times instead of their own. In addition, the better-looking slave women were sold for much higher prices and often forced into having sexual affairs with their white masters. Many of the more attractive slaves were sold for prices that exceeded the amount an owner would be willing to pay for a strong, well-built field worker. In 1857, in the Memphis Eagle and Enquirer, a female slave was said to be "so surpassingly beautiful" that a bid of $5000
Well aware of the severe consequences of being flogged and possibly killed, the women still continued to resist slavery through abortion. In one case explained by Raymond and Alice Bauer in their article "Day to Day Resistance to Slavery," two parents decided to kill their children in order to "send the souls of their children to heaven rather than have them descend to the hell of slavery. She threatened to kill the child before she left it behind, and she eventually was able to take it with her. The article could be made better by adding more personal experiences of former slaves. I feel this article is extremely well written and exceptionally educational in informing people about the difficult times faced by slaves, particularly females. The second way sexual abstinence was practiced was by the females resisting sex and marriage to other slaves in hopes that they could eventually get married and raise their children in a world free from slavery. Another way females showed resistance towards slavery was through abortion. By taking part in these three main forms of resistance, women were able to come together, help each other, and fight against slavery. In the twenty-five year period he kept the women, only two children were produced. Due in part to this sexual oppression, several different forms of resistance were practiced by the female slaves. I learned many things I never knew about the additional hardships black women had to face. Her grandmother was a former slave whom her master was afraid of. Additionally, more real life situations would add to its effectiveness. The most common form was sexual abstinence.
Common topics in this essay:
Resistance Slavery,
Darlene Hine,
Herbert Gutman,
Slave Girl,
Eagle Enquirer,
Linda Brent,
sexual oppression,
sexual abstinence,
Alice Bauer,
slave women,
resistance towards slavery,
female slaves,
towards slavery,
slavery parents,
slavery abortion,
former slave,
sold prices,
,
main forms,
|
Acceptance Essays
