who has the most accurate interpretation of American slavery?

Question

Are the slave's view in slave narratives and WPA interviews the most accurate, or the slave owners and traders interpretations. Why?

Answer 1

each is accurate for the person writting or speaking,,,,,, but keep in mind that many of the traders and owners saw the slaves as "things" not really human people,,,,or as lesser humans if they did consider them human,,,, so their view from the onset is warped,,,,,

Answer 2

let me start off by apologizing for giving
such a slippery answer. To better digest a particular era in history it best to read and digest
interpretation's from the modern historians.

Because their view has distance and impartiality.
But to better grasp the effects of slavery
it more essential for one to read the views and prespectives of the slaves, the slave owners
and the slave traders, as well as the political
leaders of that time.

All of these groups were considerably affected
by the circumstances of their times. Then put
yourself in their shoes, and see if you can put
merit in their experiences and values. If you want
the complete picture of that horrible saga in
this nations history than you need to know the
thoughts and actions of all the parties, on a
on a humane level (not, necessarily a historical one) if the deeds had merit or simply the ends
justifying the means.

Answer 3

To get the full picture of what slavery was like, I think you have to look at all interviews, all interpretations. Why? Because you have to read the slave holder's and trader's views to understand why slavery was so economically attractive to them. And you have to read the slave's accounts to find out what it actually felt like to be owned by another person. The former directly influences the latter and makes the picture of slavery become more complete.

Answer 4

No person who actually participates on opposing sides, are going to give you the complete story full of prejudice. Both sides are always going to be biased. You need to analyze the information given to you, nothing is black and white, there are always a middle ground, usually the truth lies there.

Answer 5

You can also try reading the People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and excellent account of the "peoples" perspective and views and of course any passed down oral or written perspectives from those who direct lineage experienced it.

Answer 6

Neither, both are biased.

It is up to you to analyse the information given to you and form opinions based on facts as you see them.