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Enslaved women in the United States performed heavy physical work, burdened by housework, regular childbearing, and sexual relations with masters, but in many cases, they managed to resist oppression by preserving their identity and faith.
Slavery was challenging for both men and women, but females experienced more hardship connected with sexual exploitation and separation from their children. Even though they tried to maintain relationships with their families, it was not always possible. They hoped they would one day become free and unite with their relatives and children. This hope and dedication to opposing oppression allowed them to face the injustice and terror of slavery. They believed that God would help them, and this faith allowed them to survive during the most challenging periods in their lives. Enslaved women in the United States performed heavy physical work, burdened by housework, regular childbearing, and sexual relations with masters, but in many cases, they managed to resist oppression by preserving their identity and faith.
Enslaved women were less common than males due to their lesser efficiency in physical labor. However, when women came to the US from the African continent as enslaved people, they performed similar duties. Women and men were used to working on plantations and other household chores (Men, Women & Gender). Sometimes men and women perform different responsibilities depending on the required physical strength. However, often women were on an equal footing with men as enslaved people in the cultivation of fields but were also forced to take care of the household.
The meaning and essence of motherhood for women in slavery have also been significantly transformed compared to the traditional African perspective. In particular, pregnancy for women in slavery was a regular activity that brought economic benefits to their masters (Hidden Voices). For the enslaved person, Fertility was also a guarantee of value to her master and reduced the likelihood of her being sold. However, they were also more likely to be forced into sexual relations for procreation regardless of their desire (Men, Women & Gender). Women in slavery also experienced physical and psychological stress, as they were often separated from their children and forced to return to work soon after giving birth.
White masters also perceived enslaved women as objects for sexual activity. Whereas white women were considered pure and pure, African women were stereotypically perceived as lustful creatures (Men, Women & Gender). This aspect allowed white masters to exploit women in slavery sexually. Both single and married women became the object of forced or voluntary sexual relations with their masters. A marriage between two enslaved people did not have a specific force, so a woman in slavery was most often autonomous since the cost of one of the spouses often separated such families.
Therefore, it was almost impossible for African American mothers to preserve contact with their children after they were sold to another master, even though they made everything they could to avoid it. Hope to unite with their family one day supported the spirit of women, and they tried to preserve all hardship of their position, thinking about the moment they would see their families. As a result, many enslaved people tried to escape, and the harsh fugitive laws did not make them stay. Tasman effectively led enslaved people to freedom despite breaking fugitive slave laws (Hidden Voices). According to this legislation, all fugitive slaves caught in the free states had to be returned to their masters, so African Americans had to hide all their lives (Hidden Voices). Those people who helped fugitive slaves to escape were imprisoned and fined (Hidden Voices). In all cases, helping enslaved people escape was a complicated task, but many felt it was humane and the only moral action they could take.
The position of enslaved women was complicated due to the additional burden they experienced. Sexual exploitation and separation from their children were among the most challenging things they had to endure. History shows that there were cases when African American women escaped from slavery successfully, and it gave other females hope for freedom. It was the basis of their identity, and their faith allowed them to cope with the most severe challenges.
Works Cited
“Hidden Voices: Enslaved Women in the Lowcountry and U.S. South.” LDHI, n.d, Web.
“Men, Women & Gender.” Thirteen, n.d, Web.
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