It is not fair or just to impose 2012 mores and ideology on 16th, 17th and
18th century happenings. We all know that SLAVERY was and is horrible. We
have grown and hopefully become better citizens, because of the War, because
we know better and just because we know slavery is wrong. I have to believe
that some Pearson's and Hawkins' families tried to be better and to do the
right things when they could. I have seen wills releasing 'slaves' from the
servitude and giving them homes and protection from other white slave
holders for them and their heirs.
Slavery was what it was. It ended in the USA in 1865. We need to quit
fighting the war and tried to move forward.
JP Adams
Texas
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Kiracofe
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 2:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Peculiar Institution's End Without The Intervention Of The
Civil War
I don't read the various comments made concerning the WPA recollections as
attempting rebuttal, but only supplying the caveat of considering the
historical context in which the documents were created. I'm quite sure
that many elderly, formerly-enslaved people living in the depths of the
Depression would be nostalgic for a time when their material needs were
taken care of, however meanly. But context does still matter. For
example, there are a few examples among the WPA narratives of individuals
who were interviewed twice -- once by a white reporter and subsequently by a
black reporter -- with marked differences in the telling of their stories.
Evidently there was some reluctance in talking freely with the white WPA
reporter. Are we surprised? Isn't that information relevant as we try to
figure the reason for those different versions? Why then wouldn't the age
of the person -- how long a recollection -- or their particular economic and
social circumstances -- how nostalgic -- at least merit a mention as well?
Consideration of context is responsible historical scholarship.
David Kiracofe
________________________________________
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Southmayd
[[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 8:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Peculiar Institution's End Without The Intervention Of The
Civil War
I am amused by the attempts to rebut the first hand recollections of actual
Black slaves when those recollections are inconsistent with the PC views of
slavery held by current members of academia. There is really no reason to
not take those recollections at face value, PC considerations aside, other
than it may make "research" and works issued pursuant thereto or published
seem specious and irrelevant.
JDS
SOUTHMAYD & MILLER4 OCEAN RIDGE BOULEVARD SOUTH PALM COAST, FLORIDA 32137
386.445.9156
888.557.3686 FAX
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