The beginning of African American history is the slave trade. Slavery existed in America from the start of the Atlantic slave trade in the 16th century to the end of the American Civil War in 1865. Slave owners rationalized slavery by telling themselves that they were doing African and African Americans favor. In fact slaves were anything but ignorant and happy with their conditions.
Interpretation
Photograph # 4
Title:
"Port Royal Island, S.C. African American preparing cotton for the gin on Smith's Plantation" (1862) by Timothy H. O'Sullivan
Description
The photograph shows a two story cabin most likely where bales of cotton were stored. Off to the right side a pool of cotton is sits with slaves wading and working in pool. At the base of the cotton pool stands a dead tree along with a slave man most likely overseeing the work. To the left of the cabin stands a healthy large tree. Off in the distance are more cabins with a wagon parked out front.
Interpretation
The slaves in the pool of cotton appear to be engulfed with whiteness. This is a representation of the slave's role in white America although they labored hard to make
America what it is their many outstanding contributions were swallowed up by those of the majority. Many are still not known today. The dead tree represents the physical exhaustion slaves felt after a day in the field and or their spirits after years of being treated inhumanely.
(Complete Lesson I {guided} & Lesson III {independently})
Photograph #5
Title:
"Slave and Child 1848" (Wilson, pg 1)
Description
A slave women with a scarf wrapped around her head and plaid dress with caped jacket is seated holding small white child. The child looks around 9 months old. She is dressed in white. The little girl is looking at the camera.
Interpretation
It appears to be a white cloth draped over the slave care giver (usually called mammy), before the child is placed in her lap to separate them. Although the mammy's hands are directly on the child it is necessary to hold the child in place so that the picture can be taken. The mammy holds her head away from the camera because her role in the picture is just to ensure the child's picture is taken. Slave women were not allowed to have families in the traditional sense, because they were all property they were often sold off. The gentle touch of the mammy could be longing for her child(ren) that she was unable to raise. The child looks frightened but reassured by the hands of her mammy.
(Complete Lesson I {guided} & Lesson III {independently})