what were the psychological effects slavery had on african americans?

Answer 1

well, how would you feel if you were enslaved???

Answer 2

One thing you have to consider is the African American slave was bread to be a machine. Its a fact that inbreeding was rampent to achieve the ultimate plow puller. So, you have to think it made for some intellectually inferior beings for some time. With that in mind they were captives some, if not the large majority from birth. A feeling of security is a fact from a lot of slave writing i've read. Security of knowing they have a home and a way of earning a place to live a long life. you have to remember, slaves had a "retirement plan" of sorts. when a slave got to old to be useful they were not thrown out, they were taken care of and cared for. While some slaves had it terrible, most did not. you have to remember that only 25% of southerners owned slaves and of that 25% only 4% owned more than 5 slaves. the slaves were like a member of the family in most homes. Set to do duties like raise children, cook, clean and take care of generel duties. Those 4% that worked on plantations of 10-35 slaves will tell a much different story of their slave days. but even then, they were not put in to much harm. The farmers...plantation owners would hire in an irish traveler for 1.00 a day to do dangerous work so they didn't lose a 500.00 slave. so, if the question is how did the slaves take slavery? The majority of them were content. why else would the majority of slaves never rebel for freedom?

Answer 3

I think that sometimes we forget, that everyone who came to this country was slaves- the native americans, the chinese, ect... because we enslave those who are different.

I am not by any means minimizing the years of slavery african americans endured, but each race has had struggles. The Jews and Polish were persecuted.

This day, I don't believe there are any living ex-slaves. Their children, or grandchildren may be alive. But we can not fully understand the psychology unless we talk to them directly.

Answer 4

This is something I've never understood, but I want to thank you for having the strength to ask it. It's gotten to be politically incorrect to ask things like this.

I have some conflicting feelings about this, and I don't know how to articulate it in a way that would not offend anyone, and since I really don't want to offend anyone, I pass.

However, I want to say that I'm offended by the guy who said that "they" use the n word "all the time." I don't. I know quite a few white people who don't. I know quite a few black people who do. If you want to not be treated with prejudice, don't be prejudiced about others.

Everyone is willing to put the past aside, as soon as the "others" do. And that seems to be working spectacularly well.

Answer 5

definately racism to this day. They use the n word all the time so they can keep it.

Answer 6

Pretty drastic I would imagine. However I am white and Jewish, and color blind!