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The Experience Of Women In Slavery In The 19th Century

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The Experience of Women in Slavery
Both men and women had a horrible experience with slavery since the amount of labor and treatment from their masters was much the same. The only difference was the kind of jobs appointed for each gender. While men were allocated tasks that required some skills and physical strength, women served in plantations and as house servants. According to Kornweibel (2010), slavery experience was devastating for both black women and men. The role of women in slavery was however more complicated and devastating than that of men. According to Zilfi (2010), women experienced the binary oppression that was based on their gender and race. Women also had to deal with stereotypical images such as Jezebel and Mammy.
Claims for slaves by the slave masters were same for both men and women. During slave trading, both women and men were stripped, poked and prodded by potential buyers. Such experiences were very demeaning and humiliating especially women. These experiences were also made worse by believes that white society held against black women. Black women were considered to be innately lustful. In the nineteenth century the …show more content…
Similar to men, black women fought against oppression and mistreatments of their masters. Black women took their responsibilities as mothers more seriously as it was a custom in their African heritage. They ensured that their children freedom and safety was a priority. Because of their caring nature, most slave masters ensured that they reserved elderly women in their plantation. For men who were enslaved, escaping from slavery was much easier compared to women. Men had to fight to retain their masculine identity. Women situation was more complicated as they had to deal with the issues relating to their gender roles and also their race. They had the burden of children who were dependent on

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