The Impact of Slavery on Black Women Essay - 1110 Words

The Impact of Slavery on Black Women â€Å"Only by experience can any one realize how deep, and dark, and foul is that pit of abominations.† (Jacobs, 120). These words are spoken by Harriet Jacobs (also known as Linda Brent) and after reading about her life experience as a slave, I have come to believe that slavery was far worse for women than it ever was for men. Jacobs never states that black slave men had it easy during the slave years, in fact she tells a few stories about how some slave men were beaten. She also tells about the life experience of a slave girl, herself. Her own experiences made me feel blessed that I was never born as a black woman during the time of slavery. I do not think that I would have been strong enough to endure†¦show more content†¦Mr. Gore told him that he would give him three calls and that if he did not come out at the third call, he would shoot him. ...calls were given with the same result. Mr. Gore then, ... not even giving Demby an additional call, raised his musket t o his face, taking deadly aim at his standing victim, and in a instant poor Demby was no more.† Women slaves endured far worse punishment and cruelty than men ever did. Lets begin with women’s duties. Their duties consisted of two parts. The first part was that of being a household servant. They did the cleaning, cooking, cared for the white children of their Mistress and Master, and other household duties. Secondly, slave women had to not only maintain the household, at times, they were also expected to work in the fields and slave like the men on the plantations. Things like picking cotton, cleaning outside, feeding animals, and hoeing the grounds for planting crops. Slave men were never made to perform women duties. Now, to explain why I said, â€Å"Slavery was hard for all, but women experienced the Hell of it!.† Here is an example in a reading from Sara Evans, â€Å"At the same time, young slave women, especially household servants and mulattos, were always vulnerable to sexual abuse by whites, something from which no family could protect them.† ( Evans, 109) Women whoShow MoreRelatedThe Impact of Slavery in America1364 Words   |  5 PagesSlavery was a tragic experience for African slaves that last for many years; although it has passed it will always be part of history. Slavery meant many things to many people, but overall the ones that can better explain this are the slaves themselves through their voice and their history; slavery impact families, traditional roles of mothers, children, and fathers. Furthermore, slavery demonstrated agency and resistance to their enslavement; passive or aggressive. 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