Love in the era of slavery
I imagine that it is difficult to say the least, to explore relationships between masters and slaves or even free black folk and white folks. The idea that white men with black women was always only rape seems off to me. Not out of any desire to downplay the reality but just in thinking about how complex people are now and have always been.
It's doubtful that most or even many of these arrangements were entered into due to mutual affection but I can't say it's an impossibility. Of course in the case of owners with the owned that adds an element of coercion simply due to the power differential. I wonder if in fact those with true affection on both sides had more difficulty because they were stepping outside of accepted roles on both sides. To not hate the slaver and to not disdain the slave would have put them in unenviable positions within their communities.
I'm not looking for great romances that reframe the reality of that period but I am curious about the actuality of various stories versus the socially palatable narrative. For some reason people find it so much easier to accept hate than love which is kinda sad.
It's doubtful that most or even many of these arrangements were entered into due to mutual affection but I can't say it's an impossibility. Of course in the case of owners with the owned that adds an element of coercion simply due to the power differential. I wonder if in fact those with true affection on both sides had more difficulty because they were stepping outside of accepted roles on both sides. To not hate the slaver and to not disdain the slave would have put them in unenviable positions within their communities.
I'm not looking for great romances that reframe the reality of that period but I am curious about the actuality of various stories versus the socially palatable narrative. For some reason people find it so much easier to accept hate than love which is kinda sad.
Comments
Post a Comment