Jordan Augustus
11/10/12
US AP History
Slave Agency versus Oppression

“Dehumanization is a physiological process whereby opponents view each other as less than human and thus not deserving of moral considerations" (Michelle Maise) In my perspective, I believe everyone can agree that slavery was utterly dehumanizing. Kids at the age of 12 and younger were slaves and even born into slavery; families were constantly separated, and slaves would get beaten brutally without any mercy. Fredrick Douglass, the poem “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Sarah Fitzpatrick’s statement, and an autobiography by Josiah Henson; illustrate the harsh treatment and dehumanization that slaves went through and endured for many years. Slaves hoped and attempted to maintain slave culture, when going into slavery. It was often attempted to stop slave culture that originated from Africa, because whites believed that it would one day cause and uprising, and rebellion against slavery. “While on their way (to work), the slaves would make a dense old woods, for miles around, reverberate with their wild songs, revealing at once the highest joy and the deepest sadness.” (Douglass Doc 2) This quote by Frederick Douglass illustrates their journey to work was one of their only breaks and release from slavery. Furthermore during their trip to work, singing and listening to music gave them a sensation of relaxation; like medicine to a sick patient, it helped them forget about the miseries and dehumanization as a slave, and gave them a sense of happiness for that brief moment. “I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery…” (Douglass Doc 2) This portrays that slavery was in fact dehumanizing because it is immoral for a human being to have to only feel freedom and joy when listening to music or on their way to work; then have to relentlessly suffer with the hardships of being a slave. Slaves endured so much, brutality, scarce food, punishment, and monotonous working conditions to the point; the purpose of living became more and more meaningless. “Swing low, sweet chariot, Comin’ for to carry me home!” (Slave Spiritual Doc 3) This expression used in the song, portrays that slaves no longer found a purpose in living anymore, nonetheless did not want to commit suicide. The song repetitively mentions “Comin’ for to carry me home!” which illustrates the despair and torture slaves endure to the point that slaves just wish for god to send down a chariot from heaven and bring them to heaven and end their lives on earth. It was inevitable for slaves to rebel against the inhumane treatment that was receives towards them. In order to elude such a “calamity” whites found a way to keep them in order and manipulate slaves to the fullest potential. Due to the fact, slaves endured such harsh inhumane treatment, like beatings, rape, etc. they ended up going into a state of despair and the only way to gain back that loss of hope was religion and church. Whites took advantage of this, and used the Church against slaves. The Church made slaves believe that slaves were inferior to their masters and whites, and shall no their place. This way slaves would be held in complete check, so that the government and society can remain stable and ensure that slaves remain completely and utterly inferior to their masters and whites along with abide by all their rules. Overall, slaves went through many decades of harsh treatment, humiliation, punishment, etc. As a human being standing upon the same soil and earth as every other human; it is ultimately dehumanizing to demoralize another human because of their skin color. Henceforth, slavery was indeed dehumanizing to a full extent, because they were used by other human being, never given a chance to speak up for what they believe is moral and justice, was threatened because of their religion, conditioned to believing they were completely inferior, beaten by their slave masters and even racists, and separated by their families and loved ones. That is not only dehumanizing, but in fact the definition of dehumanizing…