Myths or Realities
...smoke-house, yet would pray to God every morning to bless them; and they new this too. Slaveholders also point out that slaves sing so they must be happy. Douglass however challenges this by pointing out that slaves sing when they are most unhappy. One incident was when Douglass’s grandmother sings. She had served greatly with love and everything she had to offer, yet she started showing signs of pains of old age and helplessness stealing over her body, the owners found her quite useless. “ They took her to the woods, built her a little hut, put up a little mud-chimney, and then made her welcome to the privilege of supporting herself there in perfect loneliness; thus virtually turning her out to die!” (73). Douglass also explained that hearing those wild notes always depressed his spirit and filled him with sadness. Yet another reason slaveholders say slaves are happy, are from the way slaves talk good about their masters. The real reason slaves talk good about their masters is so they wouldn’t be whipped, sold, or killed. They do it out of fear, and they do not know who can be trusted. Even fellow slaves could turn them in for talking bad about their master behind his back. One example is when the master himself stopped a slave on the side of the rode. The master asked who his master was and how he treated him; the slave not recognizing his master, spoke his mind and was later sold away because of it. The second myth Douglass criticizes is that slaves are not human. Douglass numerous times witnesses horrible events in which the evil claws of slavery and brutality strike. He witnesses the fatality of his brother by the foot of a slaveholder, stomping on his head until blood ran from his nose and ears. Another incident was with his grandmother and how they left her out in the woods to fend for her self. Or even the fact he never really knew his mother but she risked her life to visit him at nights for a few hours, just so she could be able to hold her son. Douglass even witnessed the horrible beating of his aunt and the blood that ran from her veins. These alone would be enough to put me into shock and keep me from continuing on with my life, however Douglass finds the strength to continue. He doesn’t even know his own birthday; he estimates around his age and keeps track of the years that pass, and he feels bad. One other incident where Douglass contradicts this myth, is how his fellow slaves have a strong bond and love for each other, watching out for one another’s well being. “ I was, however, somewhat indebted to the society of my fellow-slaves. They were noble souls; they not only possessed loving hearts, but also brave ones. We were linked and interlinked with each other. I loved them with a love stronger than any thing I have experienced since. It is sometimes said that we slaves do not love and confide in each other. In answer to this assertion, I can say, I never loved any or confided in any people more than my fellow-slaves, and especially those with whom I lived at Mr. Freeland’s. I believe we would have die...