#BlackLivesMatter

     The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is the story of Frederick Douglass’ life and experiences as a slave.  Slavery is one of our nations most shameful periods of time that will always be a part of United States history.  I assume most readers would agree with me that reading narratives from former slaves is incredibly disturbing.  It is difficult to grasp that during this time in our nation’s history, it was acceptable in certain areas of the country to dehumanize people because of their race.  It is completely absurd nowadays to even think about committing such horrible acts.  Throughout the novel, I kept repeating in my head, “black lives matter”.  After the deaths of three African American males at the hands of police enforcement made it to the media, people have come together to bring awareness to the atrocities the men, as well as many others, have faced.  Now it has not been completely proven that these men died because of their races, but the fact that more African Americans are killed by police enforcement and have a higher incarceration rate are enough evidence for us to safely assume that race is more than likely a factor in these incidents. 

    Furthermore, it is difficult to compare slavery to modern police brutality but a common theme is the mistreatment of African Americans and the disregard of the importance of the individuals’ lives.  During slavery, the slaves’ masters brutally beat them for many reasons, many for which were completely unnecessary and cruel.  Although in the cases of the three men murdered, the officers believed that they had probable cause to shoot the individuals.  Whether the probable cause was legitimate, they (and the jurors) believed that the murders were just.  In my opinion, the murders were completely unjust and could have been handled in a different way.

     One of the most disturbing parts of the novel was when Frederick Douglass recounts his Aunt Hester being brutally whipped by their master as she hung there naked with her hands above her head.  “ He then said to her, ‘Now, you d____b b____h, I’ll learn you how to disobey my orders!’ and after rolling up his sleeves, he commenced to lay on the heavy cowskin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heart-rending shrieks from her, and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor.” (Douglass, p. 52)  Black lives matter.  The master was beating Aunt Hester because she disobeyed him when she left the house.  Just because the slaves were of a different race and that they disobeyed their masters should not have been a valid reason to why these horrendous acts were committed.  Was it irrational to believe that these people’s lives matter?

     Yes, there were certain groups of people in the country who believed it was okay to treat people like this because they were African American, just like there are people today who STILL think it is acceptable to treat someone differently because of their race.  Another disturbing section of the novel was when Frederick Douglass was beat by Mr. Covey, on multiple accounts.  The first intensive beating, and most memorable to me, occurred after the incident with the oxen.  After Douglass had the conflict with the oxen, Mr. Covey showed him to the woods where he claimed he was going to help him “trifle away” time.  Mr. Covey then ordered Douglass to take off his clothes to prepare to be punished; he did not obey. “Upon this he rushed at me with the fierceness of a tiger, tore off my clothes, and lashed me till he had worn out his switches, cutting me so savagely as to leave the marks visible for a long time after.” (Douglass, p. 102) 

     In the incidents of police brutality, there were times that it was said by witnesses and defendants that the victims were not obeying to the commands from the police officer.  We can only assume that they were fulfilling the oath to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, but was it necessary to murder the men because they were not obeying? Was it necessary to beat Frederick Douglass because he made a mistake? Absolutely not.

     It can be safely assumed that nowadays, slavery is frowned upon in the United States.  I wish I could say that murdering an innocent man because of his race and the stereotypes that follow him is frowned upon, but after the way #BlackLivesMatter was handled, I have lost confidence in this country.  This is not the 1800’s, the people of this country should NOT continue to be discriminated, stereotyped, or killed because of their race.  Black lives have and always will matter.

Image from http://www.cogic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/BLM.jpg.