Synopsis
The book, The Slave Community, explores the life experiences of African American slaves in plantations. The writer, Blassingame, claims that the slaves in the plantations held onto the African culture as a form of resistance to enslavement. They persisted by using religion, music, language, and folk tales. The slaves developed their own culture independent of the slave–owners’ influence. In the Southern states, slave marriages were illegal. Slave owners had control over the marriages and reasoned that slaves with a family were less likely to rebel. However, the slave families contributed to their ability to survive on the plantations without being submissive to the owners. Parents demonstrated two behavioral types; they spoke out against the whites in their quarters but appeared to be docile while in the field. Children adopted their parents’ behavior in the plantation. They believed that submissiveness was only a way to avoid punishment, while the correct behavioral model was what was displayed in the quarters (Blassingame, 265). Slave owners acted consistently to ensure that the slaves remained submissive. They would administer brutal punishment through flogging. The owners would use drivers to punish slaves. The slave owners would also use domestic servants to act as their eyes and ears. The domestic servants were given preferential treatment through material rewards so that they can inform the owners of what was happening in the slave quarters. Blassingame denies the statement that historians put forward that slaves were not treated cruelly by the planters. He also shows that there were planters who treated their slaves well, such as Dr. James Green Carson of Mississippi. The treatment of slaves varied from one plantation to another as some planters treated their slaves humanely while others used brutal means to make them submit. Religion was one of the major factors that prevented planters from inhumane abuse of the slaves. Religious leaders such as Reverend T.A holmes and Reverend George Freeman condemned the mistreatment of slaves. Slaves developed different personalities, depending on how the planters treated them. Some of them were submissive, while others were rebellious.
Why this topic is important to American history
The topic is important to American history as it attempts to reveal the truth about how slaves were treated. Only by learning the truth can both races, black and white, free themselves of anger and find a way to a peaceful future. The goal of the topic is to reveal the historical truth but not to confirm anyone’s prejudices, whether black or white. Blassingame points out the dark truth of American history, where slaves were treated inhumanely. However, he also sheds light on the good Americans who treated the African American slaves well. Reverend George Freeman and other Christians advocated for the humane treatment of slaves. Dr. James Green, who had 200 slaves, treated them well. He hired a plantation physician and paid missionaries to preach to the slaves (263). This book unveils the truth about American history, which has been distorted by historians. By studying the life experiences of the slaves in plantations, Blassingame reveals the historical facts of how slaves were treated.
How is the topic relevant today?
The book presents historical injustices suffered by the African American slaves and also provides proof of cases of good treatment of the slaves. Therefore, the topic is important today as it can be used to mend the relationship between the two races, black and white. Blassingame uses the life experiences of the slaves to show the divisions within our society. Racism was once part of American history and continues to plague our society even today. Moreover, he emphasizes on the tenacity of the African Americans to refuse to submit to the slave owners despite appearing to. The book also shows the division in our society where some are willing to prevent racial injustices while others continue to propagate it. Some whites treated the slaves better than others. Blassingame also shows how deeply religion influences our behavior and attitudes. It was through religion that most slave owners chose to treat their slaves better. Many Christian religious leaders condemned the brutal treatment of slaves (270). Even today, religion still stands against racial discrimination and other injustices based on skin color and ethnicity. The book, therefore, proves that religious leaders have a role to play today in ensuring equality in our country.
References
Blassingame, J., (1979) The Slave Community: Plantation Life in the Antebellum South. New York Oxford University Press
