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.