Slavery still exist?

Society is forever changing. Constantly expanding, introducing new practices, developing new concepts. Even in this growing society, the age old saying "History repeats itself" can be still be applied to our world today. In Slave and Citizen, Tannenbaum states the idea that slavery still existed after the Emancipation was passed, and it still continues today. "Their professional standing must overcome their racial origin"(Tannenbaum 114). He believes that slavery will be over, and races won't exist once the Negro conforms to white culture. According to this belief, slavery is still going on in 2013, and will continue to exist, until African-Americans only follow the guidelines of a white/American lifestyle. In order to advance in US society, the African-American today must act in a manner that is acceptable to the norms set by the settlers who participated in the slave trade. The fact that this statement may be slightly true, is uneasy. Essentially, there aren't instances of people working on plantations for severe hours with no pay in today's world, but the middle and lower classes still produce hard work on difficult tasks but don't receive the proper reimbursement for their duties. In my eyes, America is viewed as a country giving all it's citizens a chance to succeed, but after deciphering Tannenbaum's statements and looking at our society now through a different lens, it's pretty evident that America was built upon a stratified vision. This makes me wonder, will slavery truly end?

Slave and Citizen Summary

Tannenbaum's thoughts in Slave and Citizen support his belief that American slavery and slavery in Brazil were completely different. Both societies used slavery for economic enhancement but as far as their methods in the treatment of slaves they were worlds apart. Although located in the same hemisphere, and time period, when it came to ethics and moral views these nations did not see eye to eye. In America the slave was considered to be an uneducated Negro, but in Brazil, they were deemed slaves because they had fell upon hard times. Common idea is that slavery is a form of degrading other human beings for fiscal matters. But in this era, slavery was depended on for economic stability and progression in both countries. Tannenbaum doesn't disagree with that idea. His argument focuses on the practice and conditions in which slavery was applied.
A slave in America had a slim opportunity for freedom, or to advance in the culture. To most people in the U.S., they were considered property valued as much as cattle and other livestock. A vast majority of the labor that English settlers performed when they first arrived in the New World, was now the Negro's duty. No scheduled hours. No pay was recieved. Still, the Negro's hard work served as the backbone for much of the nation's goods and economic climb. Even with this role, slaves were given little to no respect for their efforts.

My classmates tweets

On twitter, I found Jairo's tweet concerning moral consciousness interesting because it truly sums up the deeper difference between American thoughts behind slavery and South America's beliefs. It gives a similar view as "Double Consciousness" by WEB Dubois.
A certain tweet that sparked my interest was by Paul questioning if today's society can be considered "reconstructed slavery" because we still have social/economic classes that are unappreciated and fufilled financially.

In history, slavery is commonly known as a civil injustice and an unethical practice. The United States was identified as one of the countries that depended on slavery in it’s early economic stages. America wasn’t the only nation that relied on forced labor for it’s production of income and goods, also in the 18th century, the Portuguese participated in the slave trade as well. The Portuguese set a republic in place which we now know as Brazil. Millions of slaves were transported or “settled” into both of these newborn nations. It is said that, only a third of the slaves that were involved in the slave trade actually made it to their new lifes across the Atlantic Ocean. Although they would be considered a slave regardless, the destination after their journey over sea would decide their fate.

Our society views slavery as a horrific ordeal for those from Africa or any other countries who were unfortunate enough to experience it. That is due to the upbringing of American culture. During the same time period in Brazil, slaves also existed but not in the same sense as the “traditional” American slave. Slaves owned by the Portuguese were given opportunities in society and even chances to hold political office. To those in the U.S., this was completely unheard of. Even a slight glance at a white slave owner or slave owner’s family member could result in sever beating or even death in some instances. On the other hand, beautiful women who were biracial slaves were even known to have slaves of their own. This would never happen in 18th Century America.

It’s quite perplexing how two nations so close to each other geographically, can instill two different methods in their society. The people of Brazil accepted that slaves had the potential to be their equal but underwent a few shortcomings. But in America, the slave was looked down in all aspects, intelligence, wealth, etc. The slave trade is a prime example of how social Darwinism can be implemented to differentiate situations.

Diagnostic

Throughout history, racial conflicts have existed all over the world. Normally the common idea in history is that these conflicts take place between two races warring for supremacy, religious disputes, or over land. Slavery in the United States was one of the more popular disputes between races that left a domino effect on the world. In 1903, even though slavery had already ended, there was still hatred between Americans and Negroes in the US. People were slaughtered. Riots broke out. Sides were chosen. Contrary to popular belief, in WEB Dubois’ “The Souls of Black Folk” he describes a racial conflict not with whites but, within himself. Dubois isn’t attempting to combine the Negro & Americans cultures as whole a la Martin Luther King Jr., his main purpose is self-enlightenment. In his book Dubois’ states “—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost.” He yearns to fit in American culture while also maintaining a connection to his original background. This desire not only causes a disagreement of his own mind, but he worries how he will be seen by others in the nation. Dubois believes both his American counterpart and fellow Negroes would oppose his choice. Americans would still consider him another Negro who is racially inferior due to the effects of social Darwinism and Negroes, instead of accepting his decision to join both sides as one, would classify him as a traitor for betraying their own kind. This internal dispute allows Dubois to view his life through the perception of the Americans that the majority of Negroes wouldn’t relate with. This causes Dubois great sorrow and confusion. He expresses those feelings when he says, “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others,” Dubois compares himself to two different beings clashing  while he searches for opportunity in America. In the midst of all the conflict surrounding him, WEB Dubois’ main goal is to use both cultures as ingredients to enhance his chances to succeed in the world and find his inner peace.

 - Sean Hawkins