The African American Experience
Introduction
African Americans who lived from 1850-1865 were faced with bondage, slavery, ultimate survival, and prejudice. Many African Americans were considered illiterate and were not allowed to read. African Americans used to work as slaves for the Whites. The Whites would also trade the Africans for money. Jenny Proctor brings out some of the hardships that African Americans went through before the slave trade was abolished in 1865.
Poor Housing
African American slaves used to live in the slave cabin, which was located in the slave quarters. The slave cabins served as a resting place, after long working hours on the large plantations of the Whites. The slave cabins were poorly constructed with poor beddings inside. Many children grew without even ever getting to see their fathers. By around seven to ten years, African children were assigned duties of running small errands in the house of the White who owned them, working in tobacco, cotton, and rice fields along with the adults.
Severe Punishment
Slaves were subjected to cruel punishments; they were beaten, and whipped so hard due to disobedience, shoddy quality work, or even misbehaving. Young children were also brutally punished irrespective of their age. Every small misconduct by the slaves was due to punishment from their Masters. Slaves were forced to work and sleep on empty stomachs. When slaves fell sick, they only relied on traditional medicines; a doctor only visited when death was knocking because the White masters did not want to lose even a single slave free.
Lack of Access to Education
Many slave masters feared slave rebellions; they never wanted the slaves to escape. Therefore, slave holders reduced the exposure of the slaves to the outside world to reduce the risk of resistance from the slaves. Education for the African Americans was highly discouraged because the Whites feared their slaves would gain knowledge and become literate hence become rebellious. Slaves were also denied access to churches. During Sundays, a White person would come to their quarters, and preach to them to be obedient to their Masters to survive.
Broken Families
There were a lot of broken families because of separation through the sale of one or more family members. Slaves were usually fed well before being traded. A father could be sold by his Master, leaving behind wife, and children or the mother and children could be sold depending on the market of the slave trade. Adults were filled with fear when they realized that one of the family members was about to be sold.
Freedom
By 1865, the slave trade was abolished. All the African American gained their independence back. Some of the Masters gave their slaves a piece of land so that they could start a life of their own. Other slaves moved out to go and reunite with their loved ones, which were sold out during the slave trade. African Americans were able to live a free life, start homes, and even own valuables of their own
Conclusion
African Americans who lived during the slavery period faced a lot of difficulties. African American slaves used to live in the slave cabin, which was located in the slave quarters, with poor beddings. Slaves were subjected to severe punishment in case of misbehaving. Slaves were not allowed to access education. Freedom from slavery brought a free and fair life.