Introduction
Slavery remains as one of the widely discussed topic in history. This can be accredited to the fact that the slavery period is a remarkable period in history. While much has been hypothesized regarding the slavery, it is of the essence to note that its scope dates back to the close of the year 1619. This is the year when the first crop of African slaves were shipped into Virginia in North America. Many at times, these slaves were “acquired” to serve various roles, particularly assisting in activities aligned with cash crop production. It is imperative to note that after its start, slavery spread to various American colonies. As such, it can be deduced that slaves, whom most of them were of African-American descent helped in developing the economic sectors of America. Slavery as practiced in various states had certain similarities and differences (Jim, 2005). This paper will limit itself to discussing the differences and similarities between slavery in Alabama and Louisiana.
Discussion
Based on the interview with Joe McDonald and Livingston concerning slavery in Alabama, as well as the interview with Uncle Bob Ledbetter concerning slavery in Louisiana, the responses derived from the two interviews exhibit certain similarities and differences.
Similarities
As previously mentioned herein, slavery based on the interview responses from the above mentioned interviews had certain similarities. A close analysis of the slave experiences in Louisiana and Alabama shows that slave experiences were similar in that the slave masters guided their slaves on certain issues pertaining life. In Bob Ledbetter’s interview, the interviewee responds that his master allowed him to marry while at the age of nineteen. This was also the case in Joe McDonald’s interview response, whereby the interviewee indicates that there was a certain age when his master allowed him to marry (Christina, 2013). This shows that slave experiences were similar based on the primary fact that there slave masters made it a responsibility for the slaves to live a life that was relatively similar to theirs.
Another notable similarity between the ex-slave experiences mentioned in the current case indicate that the slaves were not educated. As such, they had no literacy skills. In a nutshell, slaves were often considered as subordinates; hence, were not allowed to enrol for formal schooling. There exists various hypothesis that explain the possible reasons as to why slave masters did not educate their slaves. More importantly, the masters feared that education of the slaves would enlighten them; hence, precipitating revolt towards their treatment as slaves. Despite the lack of literacy skills, slaves managed to communicate with their masters in executing tasks allocated to them (Jim, 2005).
Differences
Despite the above connoted similarities, it is of the essence to note that slave experiences in the current interviews differed considerably. In Uncle Bob Ledbetter’s interview on slave experiences, it can be deduced that the masters were not more stringent as it is the case in McDonald’s interview. Precisely, in Uncle Bob Ledbetter’s interview the ex-slave interviewed notes that he was allowed to choose the remuneration given to him for completing certain tasks. In fact, he is the one who determined how much and what kind of pay he was to be given upon completion of certain tasks. This is contrary from the confessions offered by the ex-slave in McDonald’s interview whereby there was no instance when the slave could determine how he was to be compensated. This is evident by the fact that there is nowhere in the interview where the ex-slave mentions anything relating to remunerations.
On a similar note, the current interview experiences concerning ex-slave experiences depict some differences that were notable during the slavery period. Evidently, the current interview responses regarding slavery indicate that slave experiences were different in matters aligned with where slaves did their work. In McDonald’s interview, the ex-slave confesses that the jobs allocated to him were limited to the house. In fact, the ex-slave reports that most of the work he did were household jobs such as laundry. On the contrary, the ex-slave in Uncle Bob Ledbetter’s interview notes that the work allocated to him were not limited to the household only. In fact, he notes that he worked both in the field and at household level (Christian, 2013).
Conclusion
References
Christina, S. (2013). The Long History of American Slaver. OAH Magazine of History, 27(4), 23-27.
Jim, D. (2005). Slavery and the Making of America. International Journal of Instructional Media, 32(1), 5-6.
