Response to classmate's blog

            I am writing this blog to reflect and offer feedback on my classmate Nico Colomer’s blog. She addressed several issues that I too found myself questioning throughout this reading. She had reservations about whether she agreed or disagreed with Tannenbaum because she felt his stand was sometimes unclear and he often contradicted himself. This is one particular argument that I found interesting “In the end no one denied being involved in the enslavement of humans they simply justified the means. So maybe until that is unveiled then slavery will truly be over” (Colomer).  Colomer argues that those responsible for slavery have at no point refused to admit they practiced slavery. Instead they used societal issues such a religion to justify their actions.  I strongly agree with her theory that although Tannenbaum provides facts that depict the different living conditions in the Anglo and Latin American societies they are both guilty of the same crime. Both regions are responsible for the initial practice of this inhumane enslavement and the middle passage. Therefore although later on slaves were given a better lifestyle and opportunities in Latin America that does not in turn completely erase all the horror they have caused. The Latin American used religion to ease their guilty conscience and continue reaping the benefits of slavery. Therefore simply because African Americans suffered different degrees of punishment in some regions it should not be enough to exempt or lessen the magnitude of each nation's contributions to slavery. I think my classmate should use this claim in her essay because she raises a valid point that challenges Tannenbaum’s claim about the different slave systems.  She can elaborate further on her theory and why she disagrees with Tannenbaum by providing evidence.

Blog Two

After reading Slave and Citizen I feel more confident about my knowledge of slavery. Tannenbaum enlightened me with his vivid descriptions of the differences between Latin America and United States. Although we talked about many of Tannebaum’s major claims one particular idea really stood out. “ The Emancipation may have legally freed the Negro, but it failed morally to free the white man” (Tannenbaum 42). African Americans were free according to the law but white Americans continued to associate people of color with slavery. They were unable to accept that African Americans were now free people and part of society.  When I first read this passage it provoked many unsettling questions about White America and their attitude to manumission.

After we discussed this excerpt in class I gained even more insight on this idea.  Not only were white men unable to process that African Americans were now free but also that they were responsible for such torture. We discussed the theory that the white man could not accept all the inhumane conditions they had inflicted. The realization of the magnitude of suffering they caused may have traumatized them. This caused enough trauma to the mind of white Americans to the point that it might be the reason behind so many sociopaths. Although I  have not done enough research on this theory just the implication that 99% of all serial killers are White Americans because of the trauma of slavery is mind blowing. Tannenbaum states"the shadow of slavery is still cast ahead of us" which sheds some insight on this possible theory.
Meanwhile in Latin America the idea of manumission was widely accepted and even encouraged. The process was rather easy in this region. Once they were free they automatically offered opportunities that were unheard of in America. In essence this major difference in approach of manumission supports Tannenbaum's major claim about the slave system in these regions. I agree with him about the divergence between Latin America and United States. However I also think just because conditions were less harsh in Latin America it does not absolve them of the initial middle passage and the practice of slavery in general.

Tannenbaum's Claims

     In discussions of slavery, one controversial issue has been the divergence of morality between America and countries such as Brazil, Spain and Portugal. The Northwestern and Southwestern hemispheres consisted of opposing views on the slave system. Tannenbaum’s argument that conditions were different in these areas and that America was harsher is supported by his lengthy research. We can see evidence to support his claim when he discusses the various opportunities Negros had in Brazil. In colonial Brazil it was socially acceptable for attractive women of color to be romantically involved with white men and even own slaves themselves. African Americans were given the opportunity to pursue significant endeavors like attaining a political role or becoming a doctor.

From Tannenbaum’s perspective the main reason for this split in ideologies is a matter of morality. One the one hand we have the Latin who reap the benefits of slavery while also offering slaves opportunities to participate in society. On the other hand however, we have Americans who considered this approach unheard of because they did not consider Negros human beings. A prime example of these ethical issues is their opposing views on manumission and how they went out of their way to either support or prevent it.

Peer Tweets

One common theme among my news feed is that this book really enlightened us by showing us new

aspects of slavery in different regions. Tannenbaum really did his research and as many of peers

 pointed out this book is nothing like what we have learned from other sources. One particular idea I

found interesting is Nico's point about Immigrants and minorities being the backbone of the country

just as African Americans used to be. I completely agree with this point because not only are miniorities a

monumental part of the economy and they do not recieve as much respect as they should.

Blog One

            Throughout my academic career I have come across numerous books and excerpts about slavery. Each time the notion that human beings are capable of such horror continues to elude me. Tannenbaum considers it part of human nature and declares that slavery is not exclusively a white man’s idea. He gives prime examples of other cultures that have practiced slavery and have in turn been enslaved themselves. (Example: Spaniards)  Although I don’t entirely agree with his theory that it’s part of human nature, I do agree that most of the time it stems from power and greed. “Slave and Citizen” is unlike any other reading I have encountered on this topic. Personally, it enlightened me by describing the juxtaposition of the Northwestern and Southwestern hemispheres.

            I used to have a very broad understanding of what slavery entailed. I always focused on the treatment of African Americans in the U.S. and assumed it was about the same elsewhere. Tannenbaum gave examples of the opportunities Negroes where given in Colonial Brazil and Other regions. He also explained that one of the main points of divergence between the Anglo and other regions was their opposing views on manumission. In Latin America they were huge supporters of manumission while in America they were vehemently against this idea. Americans went out of their way to make laws and find loopholes to place limitations on any attempts at freedom.

            Another idea introduced by Tannenbaum is that African Americans basically built the new world. In other references to Negro Labor they mostly focus on the hard labor such as cotton picking and working plantations. However in areas such as Argentina they actually did handled all the labor including the most artistic jobs. I was surprised to learn that they were artists, musicians, cooks, construction workers and they helped build entire cities. The fact that these enslaved people were responsible for all the progress and growth of the new world is amazing to me. Yet, only in certain areas where they actually able to participate in this society they helped shape.

                        The most significant difference between the two slave systems comes down to moral issues. Latin America, Spain and Portugal were involved with slavery for their own benefit and to profit from the huge cash flow it created. They did it because they were eager for power and they used their religion as a scapegoat for guilt. In America and the British West Islands slavery existed for the sole reason that they genuinely believed African Americans were not human beings. I agree with Tannenbaum’s belief that if we were capable of this evil before then it will likely rise up again. It might not be to the same degree or last as long but I believe it is possible. On the other hand I also believe that now we have enough sense to not let it ever escalate to such horrible proportions.

           

Diagnostic

Nicole Alvarez

ENG 101 Diagnostic

   This excerpt from “The Souls of black folk” by W.E. B Du Bois explains his theory of double consciousness. This idea explains the hardships and inner demons African Americans dealt with. Du Bois is against the way “Negros” as he refers to them are treated and he seems to be an advocate for them. His theory of double consciousness is the dilemma African American people had in regards to identity. They were denied true self-consciousness because they were treated as if they were insignificant and even almost invisible at times in this White America. They were forced to see themselves through most of America’s eyes, making them feel ashamed and unable to embrace their own culture.

            Du Bois refers to African Americans as “a seventh son, born with a veil” this quotation demonstrates how they were treated. The mention of a veil symbolizes the lifelong strife of living with the shame of feeling inferior. The veil demonstrates how invisible they were in society and may also be associated with the author’s religious affiliation.Du Bois introduces this theory of two-ness, of souls ,thoughts and warring ideas within one dark body in turmoil. The idea of American and Negro opposing lifestyles troubled them because they knew they could not co-exist without facing persecution. They were denied the opportunity of self-awareness because they were constantly told throughout their entire life that they were inferior and looked upon with contempt.

Although African Americans were thought of with disdain Du Bois seemed to admire their strength. He states “He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world.” This reflects his desire to have both cultures coexist because he thinks it will prove beneficial to America. The idea of learning from one another and giving African Americans opportunities instead of rejecting them was modern idea at the time.