Southern Slavery

Understanding the behavior and treatment of our ancestors is crucial, even if it makes us uncomfortable. Throughout much of America's history, black individuals were regarded as the property of white individuals. This uncomfortable truth is a topic that needs to be discussed in order to comprehend the development of America and how our past influences our present actions.

One particular aspect of slavery that requires examination is the prevalence of Louisiana and Southern plantations. Plantations were expansive pieces of land dedicated to cultivating crops such as coffee, tobacco, or cotton. During the 1700s and 1800s, many of these plantations relied heavily on enslaved labor. Spanning thousands of acres, these plantations employed dozens, if not hundreds, of slaves who were forced to work against their will. It was a grim enterprise, and many Americans, particularly those residing in the South, turned a blind eye to the injustice. The immense profitability allowed them to overlook their immoral behavior, fueled by the belief that individuals from Africa were inferior to whites.

To ensure a continuous flow of wealth, the government enacted laws known as slave codes that regulated the activities of slaves and granted extensive control to their masters. These laws dictated various aspects, from the number of lashes a master could inflict upon a slave to whether slaves were allowed to engage in trade with one another without their master's permission. The government essentially endorsed the ownership of human beings and justified certain mistreatment. Consequently, slave owners made horrifying decisions driven by these laws.

When people are coerced into working against their will, resistance is bound to arise. On large plantations, overseers were employed to monitor and ensure the slaves' maximum productivity. These overseers were typically white men tasked with administering punishment if the masters were dissatisfied with the slaves' work. They utilized whips, which, when wielded forcefully, would tear the slaves' skin. Over time, overseers became desensitized to the pain they inflicted, viewing it as mundane as trimming a nail. Their objective was to extract the maximum labor from slaves without overexerting or killing them. Life on the plantation was far from easy.

Within the master's household, conditions could vary greatly, for better or worse. Domestic slaves, who worked inside the home rather than in the fields, were considered property. They were granted relatively more comfortable sleeping quarters and better food. Some of them even developed a sense of superiority over field slaves. However, despite any preferential treatment they received, domestic slaves were consistently reminded of their status as property, devoid of rights akin to a dog or a broom. Although plantation work might have been physically demanding, slaves had the opportunity to be with their friends and families. In contrast, within the household, slaves were constantly under the watchful eyes of their masters and mistresses.

Recognizing the history of our ancestors is of utmost importance. Contemplating how their choices have shaped our present-day lives holds significant value. Plantation slavery propelled America's economy to new heights, orchestrated by overseers, white individuals tasked with overseeing the workers, as well as drivers, black slaves who were compelled to monitor their fellow slaves. While domestic slaves may have experienced relatively better conditions within the households, their lives could be equally challenging if their masters were strict. Plantation slavery had a profound impact on everyone residing in America, and its reverberations continue to echo in our society today.