Rick Davidson Journal Prompt 1
Having read the title, I expected most of the story to be an almost blind flight for freedom with assistance from black sympathizers. I expected help from the Underground Railroad and maybe even some close calls with slave hunters, but so far in the reading it is evident that is was more than a mere dash for freedom. I have read only to page 40 so far and both He and his Wife created and refuted many plans of escape because of insurmountable laws laid down by the very states they lived in. On page 41 it appears His “master” frozen by fear cannot lift one foot that will begin the dangerous journey until “the slave” suggests, “Come, William, it is getting late, so now let us venture upon our perilous journey (41) .” I am quite interested were and how the journey will progress.
The Prefatory material surprised me. I didn’t expect as much elegance or education within the writing. Any editor can correct grammar but it seems William was genuinely educated. I normally wouldn’t make a point of the fact, but in 1860 there were very few well educated people beside upper class families and then we have William who was not only lower class but below the lowest person of poverty. Since he was absolutely depraved of education in the states, I find it even more remarkable his education took place in London where “slaves cannot breathe”.
As William painted us a picture of slavery realities, I began to see the oppression and almost hopelessness of the “chattels”. I couldn’t imagine the pain it would cause me to have my two nephews kidnapped or my sister taken hostage. I willingly admit, law permitting, my retribution would be quite fierce and final. I couldn’t fathom the helplessness in knowing if I were a slave the law would be on the abductors’ side as he sold my family to highest bidder on the auction block. To add insult to physical servitude, the mere act of my retribution for selling my family would be lawfully punishable by death. I can’t think of a more humiliating way to purge the will out of someone’s life.
I fear this writing was very uncouth and maybe even unlawful in its time. The very idea of a slave writing a book was probably laughed at as a meer novelty in some circles of society. Many deep south slave states probably akinned it to Blasphemy like the case of Kate the slave. Kate was found guilty of reading a bible to other slaves and was publicly flogged for her efforts. I’m afraid some northern white folk might have enjoyed reading about the trials of the blacks and their escape for pleasure just as they read of the Native Americans and their struggle to keep their rightful land. Sometimes I fear people read about horrible things knowning the outcome just for the romantic idea of the “underdog” fighting his way to the top. I wonder what my reaction would be if I were around in the mid 1800’s. Examaning this within myself I had to agree it probabl would be my decision at all; if I were raised in the North abolitionist, if I were raised in the South slaveholder. I know that even if I were raised in the south a little part of me deep inside would be sickened by what went on around me.