Slavery, the abomination of the Human Race
History 3c May 2013
Slavery; The Abomination of the Human Race
Slavery is one of the most humiliating and appalling ways human beings have ever treated each other. Slavery is a system where human beings are considered and treated as property. They are forced to work form the moment of capture, purchase or even birth. They are denied the rights of refusal to work, leave or even compensation for their labor. It was not until a few hundred years ago that intellectuals have spoken out against this injustice. There were many proponents to the abolition movement in the 18th century. Despite bearing superficial similarities the differences between Frederick Douglas and Miguel Hidalgo were pronounced. Their backgrounds were different, from birth to adulthood. Their political views and their methods of bringing about change greatly differed.
One tragic part of being a slave is that most are unaware of the circumstances of their own birth. “He remained uncertain of his birthdate, but he was born in 1818 near Easton, in Talbot County Maryland. His mother was Harriet Bailey, daughter of Isaac, a freeman and Betsey Bailey (Huggins 3). In time he was given to Hugh and Sofia Auld who taught him how to read and started developing his great oratory skills that would vault him national notoriety. He finally escaped his bonds of slavery on September 3, 1838; disguised as a sailor he underwent an arduous journey that led him all the way to New York (Stepto 32). “On the third day of September, 1838, I left my chains and succeeded in reaching New York without the slightest interruption of any kind” (Stepto 106). Once freed from the shackles of slavery he was able to write and speak about his life as a slave, and the plight of slavery on America as a whole and the abolishing of the institution of slavery.
Miguel Hidalgo was born on May 8, 1753 to wealthy parents, he was born a ‘creole’ a Spanish pure blood not born in Spain but
Slavery; The Abomination of the Human Race
Slavery is one of the most humiliating and appalling ways human beings have ever treated each other. Slavery is a system where human beings are considered and treated as property. They are forced to work form the moment of capture, purchase or even birth. They are denied the rights of refusal to work, leave or even compensation for their labor. It was not until a few hundred years ago that intellectuals have spoken out against this injustice. There were many proponents to the abolition movement in the 18th century. Despite bearing superficial similarities the differences between Frederick Douglas and Miguel Hidalgo were pronounced. Their backgrounds were different, from birth to adulthood. Their political views and their methods of bringing about change greatly differed.
One tragic part of being a slave is that most are unaware of the circumstances of their own birth. “He remained uncertain of his birthdate, but he was born in 1818 near Easton, in Talbot County Maryland. His mother was Harriet Bailey, daughter of Isaac, a freeman and Betsey Bailey (Huggins 3). In time he was given to Hugh and Sofia Auld who taught him how to read and started developing his great oratory skills that would vault him national notoriety. He finally escaped his bonds of slavery on September 3, 1838; disguised as a sailor he underwent an arduous journey that led him all the way to New York (Stepto 32). “On the third day of September, 1838, I left my chains and succeeded in reaching New York without the slightest interruption of any kind” (Stepto 106). Once freed from the shackles of slavery he was able to write and speak about his life as a slave, and the plight of slavery on America as a whole and the abolishing of the institution of slavery.
Miguel Hidalgo was born on May 8, 1753 to wealthy parents, he was born a ‘creole’ a Spanish pure blood not born in Spain but