On the record
He was one of those who could torture the slightest look, word, or gesture, on the part of the slave, into impudence, and would treat it accordingly.
Said by
Frederick Douglass
Source
gutenberg.orgHe was one of those who could torture the slightest look, word, or gesture, on the part of the slave, into impudence, and would treat it accordingly.
Douglass describes the cruel nature of overseers who could interpret any minor action by a slave as defiance, illustrating the oppressive environment.
Share
More from Frederick Douglass
I wished it was possible I could remain small all my life, knowing that the sooner I grew large the shorter would be my time to remain with them.
The anti-slavery platform had performed its work, and my voice was no longer needed.
It was perhaps better for the country and for mankind that the good man could not know the end from the beginning.