Colonialism, Power, and the sexual exploitation of Enslaved women during the Antebellum Period.
Colonialism, Power, and the sexual exploitation of Enslaved women during the Antebellum Period.
A research paper written by Asia Medley
In this class we discussed a lot of different themes surrounding sex, colonialism, dominance, and power and how it all relates. I read about the harem and the exoticness that came with Greek and Italian natives and I saw the same themes surrounding sex and dominance and power. With my background in American colonial history I thought about the antebellum south and how African Americans exploited through power and dominance. Colonial conquests are often romanticized by the explorers that participate in them. Christopher Columbus once compared the earth to the shape of a woman’s breasts. Untouched land is often referred to as naked and open for conquest and rule. I asked myself if colonialism played a role in exploiting enslaved African women and men and if colonialism helped stimulate racist ideals about black inferiority? The sexual exploitation of black people throughout history is common and it also gave birth to deep racists thoughts that are often passed down through generations. In this research paper I will explain how colonialism had the upper and upper hand in exploiting enslaved women.
The transatlantic slave trade operated during the 16th century and the early 19th century. The first slave trade happened in the early 1500s, when African’s began being captured and sold to the sugar cane plantations in the Caribbean. The second slave trade brought Africans to the English colonies in North America in 1619 to tend to the tobacco population. Personally, I believe that the third slave trade occurred when congress abolished the international slave trade in 1807. The ban on importation of slaves was not a good thing for African slaves on American soil or other places in the world. Many people involved in the slave trade thought that closing the ports would ruin the economy but it stimulated the economy and slavery instead.
In Great Britain the end of the slave trade strengthened colonizing efforts in Africa and fueled racial assumptions and ideas about African people. Scientific racism tried it’s best to prove that black people were inferior and that the white race was superior. Carolus Linnaeus a Swedish naturalist fueled racism by separating human beings by race. Johan Friedrich Blumenbach, created the term Caucasian and claimed that the Caucasian race was the original and most beautiful. Samuel George Morton associated intelligence with brain size, concluding that whites have larger skulls and therefore they were more superior. Our third president wrote, In Notes on the State of Virginia, that slaves have “a very strong and disagreeable odor,” “they require less sleep,” “their griefs are transient,” and that they are “in reason much inferior.” (Gasper) Jefferson concludes that “it is not their condition then, but nature, which has produced the distinction.” Jefferson like many other people at the time concluded that it was natural for slaves to be at the bottom of the totem pole because they were “scientifically inferior.” Sarah Baartman was an African women who was stolen from north Africa and put on display as if she was a zoo animal. Spectators touched her without her permission, poking her like an animal, and ultimately fetishizing her enlarged breasts, hip, buttocks, and thigh area. European assumed that her having a bigger built was a sign of a medical inferiority. She was kept as a science experiment up until she died. Sarah was studied by anatomist, zoologists, and physiologist. George Cuvier, a natural scientist came to the conclusion that Sarah was a direct link between animals and humans. Professor Herbert Samuels explains there is a direct link between colonialism, slavery, and the exploitation of people, “going back to the mid-1500s or so and continuing on to slavery within the United States and even further than that, black men and women were said to be animalistic in their sexual desires” (Samuels et al). European scientist went out of their way to prove that white superior was better than black inferiority; which ultimately led to the exploitation and discrimination of black and brown people globally. It was fashionable for people to deny the human qualities of Africans in order to defend the evils brought upon the whole African content by colonialism.
Angela Davis’s Reflections on the black woman’s role in the community of slaves, “Mothers and fathers were brutally separated; children, when they became of age, were branded and frequently severed from their mothers.”(Davis 3) The source follows the importance of the enslaved women to the slave community and her exploitation. In this same source, it mentions the fact that slave masters would pair slaves together for sex in order for them to reproduce. Slave reproduction was a profit for slave masters. Slaves were not allowed to marry and have a family unit unless it benefited the slave master’s economic structure. The family as a functional entity was outlawed and permitted to exist only when it benefited the slave-master; Maintenance of the slave family as a family unit benefited the slave owners only when, and to the extent that such unions created new slaves who could be exploited. (Davis 3)The slave woman’s body was valued based on sexual and economic worth. “The white master could endeavor to reestablish her femaleness by reducing her to the level of her biological being”(Davis 11) Angela’s Davis text sheds light on how slave master sexual assaults was an agenda to keep slaves from resisting to slavery. African women protected their men tremendously and were often the ones to start a rebellion. The sexual assaults and exploitation committed against the enslaved woman was a direct attack against her and the entire slave community. Slave masters hoped that enslaved men witnessing the tape and sexual assault against the enslaved women would fill him with doubt about resisting. Enslaved women were examined to determine if they would be good enough to breed new slaves. The enslaved women in the Deep South will end up facing the triple burden of being black, a slave, and a woman. The slave woman has no rights and because of that it was easy to exploit and sexually assault her. The slave man also has no rights and therefore there is little he could do in order to protect the woman from the effects of being slavery.
“Slavery existed as a sexual economy, & black bodies always been (unintelligible) both breeders and concubines”(Samuels et al).Slave women were sexually assaulted by their master and unfortunately history points the finger at the slave women or hint at the fact that these relationships were consensual Enslaved women knew that their masters had full control over them and the masters knew it as well. “More common than forced pairings among slaves were forced sexual encounters between white men and black women. Potential sexual partners of enslaved women included the master, his sons, neighboring planters, visitors of the slaveholding family, traveling salesmen, and hired workers.” (Schwartz)
Slave owners would manipulate women into sex by threatening her lively hood. If a slave woman wanted extra food, clothes, or protection for her family the master world often make the woman submit to him sexually. Miscegenation laws existed during the colonial period but because of the master’s possession of power the rape of slave women still happened.
In Notes of Virginia; Thomas Jefferson suggests that black men and women were more primitive in their sexual nature and black women do not discriminate when it comes to sex. Black people being inferior and sexually deviant was a form of scientific racism. Scientific racism and Social Darwinism made Caucasian people truly feel that they were the superior race. African people were hyper-sexualized and dehumanized at the same time. Many people of African descent were considered subhuman to European naturalists and scientist at the time. Scientific racism was the excuse many scientist gave as to why they mistreated African people; going so far as to say that black people are unable to feel pain. Thomas Jefferson’s sexual relationship with his female slave Sally Hemings is a good example of sexual exploitation committed by slave masters at the time. The book “Thomas Jefferson dreams of Sally Hemings” attempts to shed light on a consensual relationship between the two. Most biographies written about Thomas Jefferson and Sally are written by white men who do a terrible job of white washing history by creating a romanticized master-slave relationship.
Let’s consider the facts that she was a slave, had no rights, and was ultimately her master’s property. Sally was a young girl who was sexually exploited by her master. Sally gave birth her master’s children yet he did not grant her or his illegitimate children freedom. “The skin color of these children served as a visible reminder for the wives and the community of their husband‘s infidelity (Cooper,32) The author of “Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings” hints at the fact that Sally Hemming’s received “special treatment” in comparison to the slave community on Monticello despite being the proclaimed “mistress.” Referring to Sally Hemings as a mistress is example of white supremacy labeling black women as the sexual perpetuators. The real wives of the masters developed deep hate against the slave women because of the actions of their husbands. In Harriet Jacobs narrative “Diary of a slave woman” she goes into detail about how her masters sexual advances towards her led to her being terribly mistreated by the wife of her master. Due to age and circumstances, Sally Heming’ ultimately was forced into submission at first but as time went on I would like to suggest that she adjusted to her sexual encounters and remained complacent in order to save herself and her children. As I stated earlier, enslaved women would overcompensate with sex to protect the community. Being that slave women had no rights she was unable to resist her master’s sexual advances which caused her to sacrifice herself. Harriet Jacobs master tried his best to manipulate her into submitting; he threatened her by telling her he would separate her and her family. The separation of family traumatized slaves on the auction block and if they were allowed to be with their family they would do anything to protect them on the plantation.
The abolitionist movement attempted to create public sympathy for by slandering the south and slave owners as a whole. However, Abolitionists damaged the slave community by making assumptions about the south and the lives of slaves. Affect & Power: Essays on sex, slavery, race, and religion examines how the abolitionist movement pointed out that power and dominance corrupted society. Some abolitionists described the south as being a sexually tainted harem. Historically, we believe that abolitionists carried out their abolitionists duties based on empathy but Ronald G. Walters examines that many Abolitionists helped create a hysteria about the “erotic” south. Abolitionists damaged the slave community with their own thoughts about the south and what was happening there. Northern abolitionists made the southern states seem like on big brothel and in some ways it was true. Ronald G. Waters mentions that “Charles K. Ripple described slavery as an absolute, irresponsible power on one side, and a subjection on the other” (Walters 4). Power was a reason why slave owners felt it necessary to have control over an entire group of people. “No human being, is fit to be trusted with absolute, irresponsible power” (Walters 5). Lydia Maria Child proclaims that slavery in itself has “concentrated the strongest evils of human nature-vanity, pride, love of power, licentiousness, and indolence” (Walters 6). Abolitionists knew that the possession of power was the reason why the south was in shambles.
Although, abolitionists seemed to empathize with the slave community many of them blamed the slave community for the sexual aggressions committed against them. “Louisa Barker believed black women lured young slaveholders into illicit attachments as a way of lessening chances that she would be sold.”(Walters 7) Female slaves were blamed for the rape that was being committed against them by their master. Abolitionists created fear and panic in the white community. Northern abolitionists believed that slaves were inherently sexually sensual. While some abolitionist wanted an end to slavery some of them did not want the slaves to interact with the white society at all. Northern Abolitionist had a hidden agenda addressing racial mixing in a negative way in order to the end slavery and protect white blood line and genealogy. Abolitionists James A. Thome proclaimed that “The southern states are one great Sodom” (Walters 8). “The Liberator” written by Famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison declared that, “The sixteen slave states constituted one vast brothel.” To northerners this was unacceptable but to the slaveholders in the south this sexual behavior was quite normal. “Like Sodom, brothels, or a harem, the South appeared to be a place in which men could indulge in their erotic impulses with impunity” (Walters 8).
Anti-slavery papers carried a ton of racist logic and undertone. A.A. Phelps stated in 1843 that the more that black people are afflicted the more they multiplied, A.A. Phelps like many other abolitionists proclaimed that black procreation and slavery was a threat to the system of white supremacy. John Rankin exclaimed that maintaining slavery would increase the slave population in the south which will then allow the slaves to possess power and dominate the nation. The rise of power in the black community scares white supremacists and it still does in the modern times. “What abolitionists wrote about southern sexuality must be put in relation to nineteenth century assumptions” (Walters 10).The sexual encounters between bondsmen and masters was not something new but it differed from what was going on in the south. The abolitionists viewed the south as a sexual place just like European travelers saw the Turkish harem as an exotic place created for sex. In the antebellum south the sex slavery was completely different from what went on in the Harem. (Walters 10)
Historically, humans have always found a way to use power and dominance to engage in erotic pleasure. Social submission and dominance have historically led to sexual deviance amongst those that possess power.
Abolitionists mention that the sexual nature in the south led to the destruction of marriage and family. The master had not respect for slaves union if they had one and at the same time that meant he had no respect for his own marriage. (Walters 16)
Overall research tells us that the extreme exploitation and sexual stereotypes about black people emerged from colonialism. I end this paper to say that the sources provided me with a lot of insight however I know for a fact that I will keep researching and exploring the topic. The topic is heavy for me especially being a black women. The research gave me a lot of answers as to why the structure of black community is shaken in the present day. Too often I hear of black women being blamed for the sexual assault’s committed against them because of the way they look and what they are wearing. Black women are not allowed to wear certain things without being judged and labeled as a sexual being. Blaming black women for the sexual irresponsibility of others damaged the self-perception of the black women in the community. If you’re of a lighter skin color the chances of being accepted were higher! As someone I understand how I have benefited from Colorism,Texturism, and Featurism. I recognize that my darker skinned brother and Sisters are often excluded fro many things STILL to this DAY and that angers me. We often do not understand how colonialism, white supremacy, and misogyny has impacted us. I will continue researching because this topic is so deep and there are so many different twists and turns throughout history. For the sake of my ancestors I would like to tell the stories America tries to keep hidden to help us cope with the trauma happening in the black community today.
References
Cooper, Iman. “Commodification Of The Black Body, Sexual Objectification And Social Hierarchies During Slavery BY IMAN COOPE”. Earlham.Edu, 2019, https://earlham.edu/media/2544034/commodification-of-black-bodies-iman-cooper-spring-2015.pdf.
Davis, Angela. “THE BLACK WOMAN’s ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY OF SLAVES”. Freedomarchives.Org, 2019, https://www.freedomarchives.org/Documents/Finder/DOC46_scans/46.RoleBlackWomenSlavery.pdf.
Dennis, Rutledge. “Social Darwinism, Scientific Racism, And The Metaphysics Of Race”. Https://Www.Jstor.Org/Stable/2967206, 2019, https://www.jstor.org/stable/2967206. Accessed 7 May 2019.
Jacobs, Harriet A, and Lydia Maria Child. Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl. Duke Classics, 2012.
O’Connor, Stephen. Thomas Jefferson Dreams Of Sally Hemings. 2017.
Samuels, Herbert et al. “Sex Stereotypes Of African American Have Long History”. Npr.Org, 2007, https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10057104. Accessed 7 May 2007.
Samuels, Herbert et al. “Sex Stereotypes Of African American Have Long History”. Npr.Org, 2007, https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10057104. Accessed 7 May 2007.
“Sara “Saartjie” Baartman”. South African History Online, 2019, https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/sara-saartjie-baartman. Accessed 7 May 2019.
Schwartz, Maria. “The History Of American Slavery: Good Breeders”. Slate Magazine, 2015, https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/08/how-enslaved-womens-sexual-health-was-contested-in-the-antebellum-south.html. Accessed 25 Aug 2015.
“Thomas Jefferson And Slavery: An Analysis Of His Racist Thinking As Revealed By His Writings And Political Behavior”. Https://Www.Jstor.Org/Stable/2645866, 1999, https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/2645866.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Ae06a49d226bf3565f174d843128d2091. Accessed 7 May 2019.
Waters, Ronald. Affect And Power: Essays On Sex, Slavery, Race, And Religion “Chapter 1: The Erotic South”. 2019, pp. 3–29.
