Resistance to Slavery

Understanding Resistance to Slavery

Overt Resistance

• The lecture introduces two forms of resistance during slavery: overt and covert. Overt resistance includes actions like running away and starting revolts.

• Overt resistance is visible and undeniable; for example, if an enslaved person escapes, their absence in the slave quarters signifies their resistance.

• Historical examples such as the Stono Rebellion illustrate that overt resistance often resulted in more deaths among enslaved people than among white individuals.

• Following revolts, laws became stricter; for instance, after the New York slave revolt, costs to free enslaved individuals increased significantly.

• Enslaved people in New York experienced "half freedom," allowing them some rights which were later revoked, highlighting the consequences of overt resistance.

Covert Resistance

• Covert resistance is characterized by secretive actions that are difficult to quantify; unlike overt acts, these cannot be easily counted or documented.

• Examples of covert resistance include breaking tools or working slowly to undermine productivity without direct confrontation with masters.

• Other forms of covert resistance could involve poisoning food or stealing from masters, showcasing a range of subtle defiance against oppression.

• Masters often felt paranoid about potential covert acts on plantations since they could not ascertain how frequently these occurred.

• A notable anecdote illustrates covert resistance: an enslaved woman revealed she had been spitting in her master's coffee for 15 years upon gaining her freedom.

Significance of Resistance

• The discussion emphasizes that both forms of resistance—covert and overt—are crucial for understanding the humanity and agency of enslaved Africans and African Americans.

• The narrative highlights how daily acts of defiance contributed to a sense of autonomy despite the oppressive conditions faced by enslaved individuals.

• Recognizing these resistances adds depth to historical narratives about slavery, illustrating that those who were enslaved actively sought ways to reclaim their dignity.