Slave and Citizen

        One of the claims that Tannenbaum presents in Slave and Citizen, which I found problematic, was that in Brazil black persons and people of color had more social advantages as opposed to the United States where black persons did not have any of these opportunities open to them. Tannenbaum exposes that in Brazil persons of color were engaging in the Arts and Politics. In the text, Tannenbaum provides examples where he stated “I have passed black ladies in silks and jewelry with male slaves in livery behind them…several have white husbands…the first doctor is a colored man and so is the President.” In the examples presented, we clearly see that black persons and those of color are able to obtain high positions. 

        Colored women had white husbands which is really interesting because I remember that in David Walkers' "Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World" he stated that in the opposition of course that the black man or man of color who leaves his own race to marry a white woman would be a double slave just because she is white. He is basically stating that black men who would even consider marrying a white woman would remain inferior to their wife just by definition of being white and therefore she would always be superior over him. Walker was obviously against formulating relationships between blacks and whites, sending the message that unless they wanted to remain inferior they should never marry outside of their race. It is intriguing to see that in Brazil there were interrelationships between colored women and white men.

        Black women were dressed nicely and were even able to own their own slaves. This indicates not only that black persons could own fancy things and even own slaves but also more importantly that women were able to possess such things. It is very interesting because this was unheard of in Anglo British or the United States. Black persons in the United States could not uphold such positions especially not in Politics. Black persons in the United States had no such freedoms. So it’s fascinating to see a huge difference happening in another region.

            Another thing that I found noteworthy was that slaves in Latin America were able to buy their freedom slowly through installments. They were also able to obtain their freedom through a variety of other ways almost making it easy to be free. It’s thought-provoking to me that this was happening in Latin America because it was definitely not practiced in the United States, under no such circumstances could a slave be free. The Spanish system allowed transitions out of slavery. It is really remarkable to see such a difference between slavery in Latin America contrasted with slavery in Anglo America.

My Reflection of The First Day of Class

    

On the first day of class, one of my peers argued that the Americans and British were unlikely to go to war. I beg to differ because after recently taking a U.S. History course, I know that as a result of the stamp act crisis, for the first time Americans used the argument "No taxation without representation" which led to illegal riots that nullified the system and as a result was the repeal of 1766. At first the colonies were reluctant to revolt against England but eventually they changed their minds. In one of Benjamin Franklin's testimonies, he exposed that the Colonists might not have been willing to rebel against England because of the simple fact that they respected, admired Great Britain and grew fond of their culture which greatly increased commerce. Franklin made a strong statement that if they did not repeal the act it would only trouble England's commerce. Great Britain only used the Colonies for their own economic advancements and Franklin saw that this taxation would hurt the American economy so it only made sense to revolt. As a result they burned stamps, chased stamp collectors out, ransacked homes of the Royal and burned the coaches of the British. The Stamp act crisis was only one of many reasons why the colonies revolted against England and soon came into war. We engaged in battles such as Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Brooklyn. We outsmarted the British through guerrilla warfare tactics. At the end of war we then gained our independence and land. We were no longer colonies and then became states. In short I know violence plays a very imperative role in American history.

Personally I have my very own opinions on the contradictions and hypocrisy that America was built on. Since day one we've celebrated Christopher Columbus' voyage to America. The deep truth remains, the Europeans brainwashed the Native Americans, manipulated them and tried to convert their religion to the Faith of Christianity not for a good cause but for their own selfish greed driven reasons. They wanted gold, they wanted to take over their land, gain all their crops, wipe out the Native American population by however means necessary. They killed and slaughtered innocent Native American men, women, fathers, mothers and even children, sparing no life. Violence again plays an important role during this time in history. After the Native Americans, Black people were the next to be oppressed under slavery. Even white underclass men such as Indentured Servants were mistreated. Nothing has changed. The rich is still rich and the poor is still poor. In present times we still live under a social structure defined by class.

Thomas Jefferson who was the father of democracy can be considered a flawed hero. He authored an Anti-Slavery paragraph in the Declaration of Independence, he was responsible for the Northwest Ordinance and believed in Gradual abolition but he never truly enforced abolishing slavery at large. Instead he had this radical proposal advocating total emancipation but thought that slavery will voluntarily be extinct. He acknowledged prejudice of the Whites and presented his own prejudice, artificial distinctions where he stretches his own opinions of blacks in order to justify slavery. Yet he himself was a slave owner of 600 slaves and engaged in a secret relationship with Sally Hemings. I can go on and on and ramble about how hypocritical Americans were but I would be here forever.       

The only person I could consider a real American Hero would be Abraham Lincoln. One of his famous quotes stated "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of Democracy." In the most simplest and direct terms, Lincoln makes this solid statement that he would not be a slave owner as it would be hypocritical to all that he stands for. What I found most interesting during our first class, was when Professor Roger-Coopers made the comparison and relation between the Declaration of Independence and Terrorism. It provided me with a different frame of reference because I never thought of it this way. I love history and I am ready to take on and unveil the violence that occurred not only in America but all across the world at large.

Although I do have to say I'm a little disappointed because I thought this class was going to emphasize violence in ART. I am a Fine Arts & design major and I took this class in hopes of learning more about brutal events and upheaval that occurred in art history. None the less I am still eager to learn.