We’ve talked a great deal about slavery in the past few weeks. When the south closed ranks it began to justify slavery with a whole new fervor using especially the Biblical story of Noah and Ham. I’d like you to look at the story and contemplate why it was interpreted in this way. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2194/whats-up-with-the-biblical-story-of-drunken-noah-part-2
I’d also like you to look at two modern web sites on slavery today. What has changed and what remains the same? http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=348 (please spend at least twenty or so minutes watching some of the videos here and looking at the graphs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZTN0TbsRYA (please view this video).
What are your overall reactions? Thoughts? What can our own history teach us? Why does it seem we have not come very far? This Blog is due Friday December 18th.
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In my opinion, it is easy to understand why the pro-slavery Americans would have used the bible to justify their actions. First of all the bible was one of the few documents that almost everyone knew, and believed was true; and even more so, the story of Noah was probably one of the most well known. In a time when the bible would have been thought of as the pure truth, and code of morality, any link that could be made to the present time would have been justified as right and just. Honestly I believe that the pro-slavery Americans would have thought up any excuse to justify the fact that what they were doing was right, and the fact that the story of Noah and Ham easily fit this justification could only make things easier for these people. For the pro-slavery people, the fact that Ham and his descendents were always to be cursed, only helped justify the fact that slavery was meant to be. This is especially true if Ham and his descendents were all to come from Africa, just in the same way that the majority of the slaves were. Although the bible is not used now to justify the fact that slavery is meant to be, or at least not to such a great extent, it is despicable that this atrocity is still in existance today. After all the time that was spent in the past fighting against this issue, the fact that slavery is still an issue, and even worse than it was before, is terrible. It could be thought that we have developed and that slavery can't be as horrible now as it was in the past, due to advancement in society, but the mere reality that people are still being subject to doing things against their will, and in such an inhumane manner is ridiculous. As people who are now more advanced and have realized such great things in the past couple of years, issues like these should be a thing of the past, but sadly this is not the case and we still have yet to be rid of enslaving people.
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ReplyDeleteIt just doesn’t make sense to me. One of the cruelest acts committed in history and we’re still doing it. Why? I have to say I was horrified in learning of the account of the children slaves. Slavery in the US was one of the darkest times in our history; taking Native Africans away from their homes, taking them overseas, to labor over greedy and lazy farmers in the colonies. A convenience; of course, but the most inhumane one. As history went on, the argument promoting slavery became more twisted and vile; A ’positive good’? How? How could the enslavement of innocent lives be good? The comparisons were justified, a better life of labor in comparison to work in the north, but here’s the moral point those arguers failed to bring up: Slaves don’t have a choice; they must always work unless their masters say otherwise. No one could ever want to reimagine the horrors these unfortunate people had to go through…and yet…it’s still happening. Why them? Why the children? While I do sound a bit overdramatic, it’s with good reason. Slavery took away entire families in the US for labor, but somehow, absolute sick individuals somehow were able to up the ante and deliver the motherload of sh*t. People taking away young kids, claiming to be protective parents, and sell them off to people for sex and war. It’s just wrong. Hard to believe that slavery is still going on and while I was aware of certain cases of forced entrapment in the US, I had no idea that the numbers were that huge in the amount of slaves in the world today. Modern is a term we use to express change for a different time, something that revolves around us , morphing and shaping it to prepare for innovation. Slavery should not be coined together with modern. It’s a dead horse that’s still galloping around, neighing its death rattle. We’ve gone past the sterotypes and errors of the old world to come closer to a unified planet; I hope the words ’modern’ and ’slavery’ aren’t used in the same sentence a decade or even a century from now. Shoot the dead horse.
ReplyDelete-Arlill Rodriguez
I agree with what Michelle says. The Bible was the main document that people in that time could confide in and anyone seriously dedicated to the Bible could prove whatever they want. It's why it took a long time for people to accept the idea of a heliocentric universe.
ReplyDelete-Arlill Rodriguez
I think that since the Bible is interpreted so freely by so many different people, anything can really come out of it, especially when its context is shifted and altered to someone's particular beliefs. The interpretation on the website does a good job tracing the pro-slavery interpretation back to its roots, but as it's retracing the steps, it stops at multiple dead ends, which goes to show that the pro-slavery Americans throughout history skewed the story somehow to mold it to their justification of such a horrible institution; it was the perfect "evidence" for their propaganda. Since the Bible is widely accepted by lots of the world, it was easy for people at that time to accept this justification. I think it's ironic that people who tried to justify slavery used the example of Canaan, who was the only descendant of Noah who wasn't even black, to prove their point. I also think it's interesting that the South used one of the holiest books ever written, which pretty much dictates morality, to justify probably the most morally wrong things ever practiced or thought of. In response to modern slavery, I was aware that it exists, but I'm pretty shocked at how high the numbers are. I would think that history would teach us and the rest of the world about the negative effects it has on a country or the world for that matter, but it obviously hasn't. Even though trafficking is a huge business around the world, I don't understand how the issue hasn't been stopped yet when it should have never started in the first place. I think that it's an issue that is underlooked by most countries when it is right in front of their faces, yet they still do nothing about it; strange.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably agree with everyone, but the Bible is open to interpretation by anyone who reads it in anyway. People are free to do what they want with what they read, but to justify it with something that is straight up wrong? It confuses me
ReplyDeleteThe Bible was used to justify slavery because a lot of it is open to interpretation and it is a common item that most households had, as a lot people were of a Christian faith. Southerners were able to twist the words and put quotes from the Bible into different contexts, making it seem as if the Bible supports slavery. Since the Bible is a widely known and popular book that a lot of people consider holy and always correct, those who were easily convinced or not educated may base their beliefs about slavery on what politicians falsely claimed the Bible says.
ReplyDeleteOur own history can teach us that slavery is something extremely powerful, shown by its ability to split the Union. It is better left in our history rather than following us into the current day. Though using wage-free laborers may make prices cheaper, it is not worth the money saved. Only negative things come out of slavery, and with the abolishment of slavery comes the abolishment of these bad results.
I was shocked when I learned that the horrible institution of slavery is apparently thriving today, being even more popular now than in the turbulent times that we are currently studying. I knew that it still exists but I had no idea how huge it is. I also didn’t know that the United States is still linked with slavery, which makes one wonder if the age-old question of slavery will ever be answered. If one of the most free countries in the world is still involved with this cruel enterprise, when will humans rid themselves of such a degrading institution?
-Kirstin Cook
I was shocked when I saw some of these videos and looked at some of the statistics. In general I've heard of slavery being carried on through human traficking, but never have I heard it played out like this. I was shocked that it's so prominent and it plays such a huge part in many country's economies. I feel like if you look hard enough you can spot it, but one of the biggest issues we face in stopping human traficking is the fact that we just don't look hard enough. Slavery was and is one of the lowest points, if not THE lowest point in American history, and the idea that it's being carried on today is appalling. It seems like slavery is able to continued today because having such a diverse economy in America, we can easily focus our time and energy on solving other problems that are more evident in America and its economy. I also understand that it's much harder for one person or even a small group of people to make a huge difference in an issue so big in this day and age. Our government has found ways to put down movements that are not very well understood by the general population, making it even harder to make a huge change in human traficking. This is absolutely not an excuse for our actions as a country and this must be stopped, even if it's taking place mainly in other coountries and we could be viewed as overstepping our bounds.
ReplyDeleteAs a country we haven't come very far because a principle such as slaver has still survived even though it's viewed by almost everyone as awful and brutish. The base that our country was built on has not changed very much, proving that our country may have come along technologically and in other senses, but not in principle.
I'm also confused about the Bible reference because it doesn't make sense to me that people in the Bible would automatically jump to the most negative interpretation of any event. Yes, the Bible is open to interpretation, but to justify something so wrong violates the morals of mankind in general. Not only is it confusing but it is sad to see that it was interpreted like this because something seemingly so easily avoided became one of the biggest issues in the world.
ReplyDelete"it's interesting that the South used one of the holiest books ever written, which pretty much dictates morality, to justify probably the most morally wrong things"
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maguire in that it is extremely hypocritical to use one of the holiest texts that promotes morality to try to save one of the least moral institutions.
-Kirstin Cook
I agree with Kirstin and Maguire on the point that it is hypocritical for the bible to be used for such immoral reasons. However, it is also known to us that the people who were pro-slavery did not think of what they were doing as evil, so maybe thats the reason why they thought is was ok for them to justify their actions using the bible. Had been more aware of how terrible slavery was, they most likely wouldn't have used the bible as a document for justification of their actions.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly horrid to see that the same thing we fought so hard to abolish, that even divided out country before gotten rid of, is still going on in our world today. Some extremists will even standby the story of Noah cursing Ham, which is a dumb justification at best. People made it seem like the blacks were cursed since Noah’s Ark, when in reality they just wanted a way to convince people slavery was okay and get away with it. The argument itself is less than convincing and hard to follow, indicating that the people who stood by those beliefs probably didn’t even know the exact story. The whole point is though that the exact story had nothing to do with slavery or blacks but rather repopulating the world. The article also goes on to say that some blacks accepted it at the time that according to divine sanction they would always be working beneath someone. Now though, it is clear that no one will accept that anyone should have a price tag or be traded like an object and exploited, especially at such a young age. It’s a disgrace to say that this trafficking is going on within our borders too and nothing is being done to stop it. It’s a shame that anyone should be dehumanized by another human. After reading “Beloved” I will never be able to look at slavery the same way, and refuse to see it as a “positive good”. There was also some safety in looking upon that book though as a book about things of the past that we should not only be ashamed of but also commend the people who suffered. It is now clear though that the harsh scenes in that book are actually a reality.
ReplyDeletehmlsporty814=Haley Lucitt
ReplyDeleteIn response to Will, I was also totally shocked at not only the statistics, but the pictures too. I literally gasped at what these young kids have to go through, and how they will be scarred for life physically but also mentally. It was definitely the lowest point in history and should not be repeated, for we should at least get a learning experience out of our mistakes.
-Haley Lucitt
Cursing a whole race into slavery was considered acceptable because it was in the Bible. The American slave owner felt that he was carrying out God's plan by buying and using slaves. Christians traditionally believed that Canaan had settled in Africa. The dark skin of Africans became associated with this "curse of Ham." Thus slavery of Africans became religiously justifiable.The slave owners needed the blacks and needed to do it with justification because of the free states opposing them therefore this interpretation was made that they were the "curse of ham." The articles goes on to say that the blacks accepted that they were inferior to someone (slave owners) because the Bible, which the blacks also used in religion, had "justified" it and therefore they could not go against their religion. However it is an awful thing to know that slavery still exists to this day after so many years. Only by learning the profound effect that slavery had and still has, and knowing that it was the factor that split up the union, enables us to take action because we see that in all, this is morally unjustified. Also, with our knowledge of the horrible situation this generation and generation to come will hopefully be able to end slavery overall.
ReplyDeleteMaguire brings up a great point in saying that "I think it's ironic that people who tried to justify slavery used the example of Canaan, who was the only descendant of Noah who wasn't even black, to prove their point." The people that made up this interpretation should have at least better thought it out. I find this whole justification very difficult to grasp because it seems like a stretch to say that the slavery was associated with Ham and Noah.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the bible was used simply as a scapegoat for the continuation of slavery. The bible story that was used was used to seperate humans on the basis of their skin alone, when in reality the white landownders where looking for a way to disqualify them as citizens of the united states through the color of their skin. I believe that using religion as a basis for human descrimination and enslavment is completely unacceptable. This explanation of slaves caught like wildfire for the uneducated white population cementing the belief that African's would always be their slaves and be less equal than themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that people can still be considered property of another person is absolutely mindblowing in the world we live in today. In the modern world, he cure disease's, help those in need, and explore space but we cannot agree upon the simple issue of human rights. The fact that all men are created equal still does not resonate in some corners of the globe today. Slave labor is used now to traffic children for terrible reasons. In some ways, Slavery has become much more sinister now than it was before. Slavery used to be used simply for a work force, a way of commerce. But now in this modern day there is less need for a large cheap workforce so people are now being bought and sold in the international sex trade. The fact that people now can be bought or sold because of their most basic human function is terrible. There is no possible explanation for modern day slaver like there was in colonial times with the story of Noah.
ReplyDeleteThroughout history, different groups of people sharing common beliefs turn to the bible to prove why their point is right, or their opponents is wrong. This is not anything new. What is intresting about this is the way in which it is done. Like so many emotionally charged issues in today's world, pro-slavery advocates just before the break out of the civil war justified the practice as a univeral good, and justified the enslavement of Africans through means of the bible. Naturally, the bible is a document held in high regard, and whether interpreted stricly or loosely, it is respected by everyone. It is the fundemental beginings of moral behavior (in parts, just my opinion) of our world. Slave owners used the story of "drunken Noah" and the banishment of Ham, and the curse of Canaan to show that Africans were meant to be enslaved, or allowed to be enslaved, because "the bible said so." Like so many who have used or still use that explanation, they leave out parts that do not prove their arguement and allude, not outright lie, to things that arent there. There is no mention of Ham being the forefather of the african nation, nor any mention that his decendents were to be enslaved by others, it was just a curse put upon his decendents. But looking at it from this same context, we are infact enslaving our brothers and sisters!
ReplyDeleteAs for current slavery, I find it apauling. I wouldve had no idea that there are over 27 million slaves in the world today. Of course I was aware of the trafficing of young women in some eastern european and asian nations and i was aware of the forced labor issues in asia and the south pacific, but i had no idea the numbers were so high. The united states, a forerunner of the advancement of human rights has over 14000 slaves. That is appauling and stricly unacceptable. I do not know a solution to this problem, because there are some people either without moral values or strange justifications that will always find others doing your work for nothing appealing.
David
Responding primarily to Maguire, but also to other people who talked about the justification of slavery and other immoral practices with the book that was supposed to give us morals: It is a great point and so ironic. The bible because it is so widely respected and so difficult to question, is so easily used to justify people's view and opinions. It is really an issue and often annoys me with todays issues, but we must remember 2 things when reading any document, regardless: who it was written by, and when was it written.
ReplyDeleteFine, arguably it was writen by the hand of man, divinely inspired, but my opinion of the matter is that it was written by the people most powerful at that time, the aristocratic males. Also is it right to have a justification of a document over 2000 years old if we are talking about the old testament or just a few centuries younger than that for the new? We dont even find documents written a few hundred years back relavant to today's society, so why hold this one in such high regard?
It is shocking to me the ignorance and idiocy there was (and still is) when justifying slavery through the Bible. Let's say the Bible and G-d completely supported slavery and evil. Does that mean one should follow it? Should one trust and continue to confide in a G-d that advocates such a case? What is shocking to me is that even Protestants would advocate slavery because they devoutly spent time mending and creating a new Bible that offered equality. One book, one story, no matter it's reverence, cannot protect a simple indecency. Any slave owner, whether he or she considers him or her self religious is sick.
ReplyDeleteWhat is scary to me is how ignorant I just realized I am. I slept seven nights in a city where there are 1,500,000 known sex slaves. Beyond these statistics, these are people.
What our own history can teach us is that there needs to be more education on slavery today. More news in the media, more ways to get involves, and be of higher importance in government. Instead of doting a week on American slavery in class, why not spend a week of class time petitioning our government? The time is now, and action must be done.
jmo335 = Jason M.
ReplyDeleteIn reaction to Maguire's comment, I disagree that slave owners felt comfortable and did not understand the severity of slavery. Natural human will and conscience says that slavery would be wrong. I think people are born knowing how bad slavery is and and uncomfortably justify slavery with the Bible. Just because they defend it for personal economic success does not mean they staunchly love and completely think slavery is great.
I am touched by your thought provoking words. thank you for taking the time to watch some of these videos and let it sink in -- I can't express to you how much I think it is important to be witness to the present realities around us today.
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