A single word from the white men was enough—against all our wishes, prayers, and entreaties—to sunder forever the dearest friends, dearest kindred, and strongest ties known to human beings.
From his autobiography, this describes the absolute power slaveholders held to destroy the most fundamental human bonds through sale or separation.
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More from Frederick Douglass
It was in the air, and men breathed it and were permeated by it, often when they were quite unconscious of its presence.
My grandmother was all the world to me, and the thought of being separated from her was a most unwelcome suggestion to my affections and hopes.
The friendless and hungry boy, in his extremest need, found himself in the strong protecting arms of his mother.