Slavery Without Submission
Susan Nevin
To begin, I read author Howard Zinn’s article, “Slavery Without Submission.” This article regarding the United States and why they chose to support slavery was truly shocking, and explained things about slavery I had never known. For example, this article explained that the reason that the United States government decided to back slavery was because of the profit they got from it. Because of slavery, the cotton production boomed, and by 1860, millions of slaves were producing millions of tons of cotton. Personally, when reading this, I just don’t see how they justified production as a means to use a humans’ life. Yes, while this provided more jobs for white people in the poor class, it took away any opportunities that blacks and people of color had to make a life for themselves. It was very upsetting to read that they used job opportunities and money as a means to justify something this horrid.
` In addition, I read another reading from Howard Zinn, but this one discussed the black revolt of the 1950s. This piece explained that while this revolt came as a surprise to many people, it really shouldn’t have been. Zinn explained that, “it (slavery) was not just a memory but a living presence–part of the daily lives of blacks in generation after generation.” I am truly surprised that no one thought that this would be a possibility, and that years of oppression would would lead to people wanting to take a stand. However, if they hadn’t we would not have experienced the Civil Rights Movement, and come to make the progress we can see today.
I agree that it was surprising that people weren’t expecting the 50’s revolt. I mean you’ve discriminated against and abused an entire group of people you have to expect they’ll fight back at some point.
“Slavery Without Submission” also shocked me and revealed information about slavery that shocked and disturbed me– the overall devaluation of human life is horrid in itself. Zinn did an excellent job framing the implications of slavery through personal anecdotes, such as the journal entries of slaves themselves.
I agree, I was surprised that the people did not see the 50’s revolt coming, especially because even though slavery was over the African Americans were still being treated awfully. I think that it would be rather obvious that the people being oppressed would take a stand eventually.