Equality and Inclusion is not a Modern Concept

Antebellum slavery and emancipation were not only a popular topic in its era but one that divided the country. While the ideals of emancipation were more widely accepted in the North the majority of the South was against the idea. The accounts of primary sources give detailed insight about the opinions from both sides. At the time a variety of ideas were proposed and debated to orchestrate the changes that emancipation would bring across the United States. Although they had their indifferences, both sides did agree on one point. The prejudice views of White Americans combined with the memories that those were with slaves had from generations of mistreatment could not be abolished by simply passing new laws and granting rights. Before emancipation it was understood that a change in culture would be required in order to make the transition work. Although we now view this as a modern approach that simply is not the case. The need for cultural change in the United States has been known and understood since the concept of emancipation was conceived.

Thomas Jefferson had a clear understanding that the perception of the American people would pose the biggest issue when mitigating change. He had the foresight and common sense to know that it was not only the opinions of prejudice that would be an issue but also the generations of memories of those who were enslaved that would be a hurdle to overcome . Jefferson stated that “Deep rooted prejudices entertained by the whites; ten thousand recollections, by the blacks, of injuries they have sustained” (Johnson, 2019) in reference to understanding the position of both sides and concluded “…will divide us into parties, and produce convulsions.” (Johnson, 2019). This view not only speaks for the era in which Jefferson lived but is also very true today.

Jefferson also inadvertently makes a valid point when he speaks of how black Americans were viewed in his era. While pointing out the flaw of the investigation performed by Euclid, Jefferson states that because these people have adapted to American society and influenced by its condition, Western education and conversation (Johnson, 2019). While making a point about the positive influence adapting to a new culture may have had on black Americans there was also a high degree of negative impact on them through the mistreatment they received. This reenforces the idea that although legislation and rights may change there would still be an underlying memory of the past.

James Henry Hammond shared his views in the form of a letter to an abolitionist. His argument about the moral consequences of slavery is that essentially it is wrong because the concept is condemned in the bible (Johnson, 2019). He further attempts to reason that although scripture may make it morally wrong the government and the country are reliant on slavery and other circumstances of inequality to survive (Johnson, 2019). This opinion gives a clear indication of the divide in the culture of his era and how inequalities are viewed as a necessity by those who are privilege. Although he states quite early in his letter that he believes the bible views slavery as a sin he attempts to justify its existence immediately after. Hammond writes “Slavery is the cornerstone of our Republican edifice.” (Johnson, 2019) He continues by calling Jeffersons statements of equality absurd and states that no society has existed without a variety of classes (Johnson, 2019). By making these statements in an

attempt to justify the state of society at that time he is demonstrating the level of prejudice that was being perpetrated by most white Americans.

Jefferson and Hammond may have had different positions on emancipation and slavery in America but they both came to the conclusion that it was wrong. Jefferson had far more consideration for black Americans and the way society functioned. Hammond believed that the bible condemned slavery but followed that with reasons as to why it existed and attempted to give it justification. Both of these men were white and from privilege and although Jefferson was perceptive, he did not have to endure the atrocities of slavery. African Americans had opinions based from experiencing slavery from the side without privilege.

In a letter to Thomas Jefferson by an unknown slave, a different perspective is given. The slave was thought to have been educated and from the writing one can feel the overall anger and sorrow this man felt . His perspective gives a view of what slaves went through at that time, how they felt and what they thought of those who enslaved them (Johnson, 2019). Because he was educated this reinforces the point made previously that by adapting to society and receiving a positive influence, the ability to read and write in English, the slave was also able to use this to convey how poorly society had treated him and his people (Johnson, 2019). He now had the ability to express emotion in the form of written word and that writing has been passed down through history. The unfortunate fact behind that is the history he had recorded was of persecution, prejudice and unjust treatment (Johnson, 2019). His words would be passed down through generations and that memory of poor treatment would last for centuries. The slave clearly states that slavery needs to be abolished and society needs to make a change in its views towards those who have been enslaved in America . The unknown slave states “What think you now sir, are we men or are we beasts?” This is a powerful question being asked to President Jefferson as he has stated all men are created equal. The slave had an understanding that although words has been spoken and although legislation was being considered, society itself needed to change its perspective.

The view of Frederick Douglass questions the United States Constitution. He states “I only ask you to look at the Constitution… You will see with me, that no man is guaranteed a right of property in man” (Johnson, 2019). His argument is that there is no declaration in the Constitution that condones or entitles anyone to own another person (Johnson, 2019). By questioning this Douglass is questioning the overall view of society on slavery and towards those who were enslaved. He is sharing a view that shows what many saw at that time as a failure in the way the government and society were upholding the Constitution and Civil Liberties in the United States (Johnson, 2019). Douglass states that the African American population is considered an exemption to the rules and demands that an amendment be put into place that is easily understandable and written in plain English (Johnson, 2019). He reenforces his opinion by saying that when it came to African Americans society looked everywhere except the Constitution to apply laws and justifications for actions towards them (Johnson, 2019). He made a valid point in stating that the slaves had their civil rights violated, the Untied States Constitution states “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process.” Slaves were rarely given due process when accused of crimes and if they were the odds were against them simply because they were not white (Johnson, 2019). Douglass had a view that not only spoke about how society needed to change but how the very fabric of the United States, the Constitution needed to be taken into consideration and upheld with a single standard for all people.

Harriet Jacobs speaks about the way many slaves were sexually assaulted. In a society that was based on moral virtue and relied on guidance from the church this was not only a horrible act but also highly hypocritical of the slave owners. Jacobs writes that many young women of the time were aware of such things happening and would attempt to avoid mixed company when possible . These acts were all too common with Jacobs’ master as well as others meaning the community surely was aware of these actions and turned a blind eye (Johnson, 2019). African American girls were treated as objects by men that were able to take ownership of them and they were not given rights equal to white women (Johnson, 2019). If they attempted to defend themselves, they would be punished in other ways and they were put in positions where they had little choice but to comply with their master (Johnson, 2019). This is another example of how society itself needed to change and regardless of any changes to legislature public perception was the primary influential factor. Because this was such a well-known fact when it was happening then as Jefferson stated, the memories of these occurrences would remain with those who were enslaved for generations. Those who committed these immoral acts would not only continue to view African American women as nothing more than objects but also pass that view on to future generations and continue to feed the prejudice. Children born from sexual assaults would be living proof of what had happened in the past and through no fault of their own continue to serve as living reminders for generations long after.

Before emancipation and the abolishment of slavery it was well known by Thomas Jefferson that society itself would need to completely change in order for slavery to be completely abolished. Although laws could be passed and amendments made to the United States Constitution the main problem with moving forward was the prejudice held by the white portion of society and the memories of trauma that would be passed down through generations in those who were enslaved. In his era Jefferson saw and acknowledged this fact but was unable to surmise a solution that would adequately allow a transition into a prejudice free America. Unfortunately, these issues are still present in the modern era and the memories of the crimes that were committed towards African Americans two hundred years ago still haunt us today. We now view equality and inclusion as a modern idea but it has been around since before slavery was abolished. It has taken this long for it to be widely accepted and still has a long way to go before being successful.

As we attempt to improve on how our current social systems work and society views diversity it is important that we understand and remember why that is important and where these ideals come from. We also must always be mindful that there are those who still face the challenges of discrimination and prejudice in our modern era. Deep rooted opinions in our communities and social systems that date back to before the Civil War. Some of these opinions based on prejudice and others on what those who are prejudice can do to others.

Work Cited

Johnson, M. P. (2019). Reading the American Past: Selected Historical Documents, Volume 1: To 1877 (8th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Cover Image

Shvets, A. (2020, July 5). Photo Of People Reaching Each Other’s Hands · Free Stock Photo. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-reaching-each-other-s-hands-4672717/