“ I know of such cases; and it is worthy of remark that such slaves invariably suffer greater hardships, and have more to contend with, than others.” (Douglas, 924.) Frederick Douglas narrative speaks on many beatings he has witnessed through his times as a slave. Douglas however, was hardly ever beating by his masters. He has though suffered hunger and coldness.
His first occurrence he saw was with his Aunt Hester. His slave master ordered Aunt Hester to never go out on the evenings and he must “never catch her in the company with a young man.” (Douglas, 925.) Hester didn’t follow these orders. She went out and was with a young man named Lloyd Ned. When she returned the master beat her. He “stripped her from neck to waist, leaving her neck, shoulder’s, and back entirely naked.” (Douglas, 925.)
Another beating he witnessed was done by Mr. Severe. Douglas referred to him as a “cruel man.” He has seen him beating mothers, and has taken pleasure in the beatings.
Douglas’ has also witnessed people being torn away from their families. Master Colonel Lloyd was said to be so rich and own so many slaves he didn’t know them all. He asked a slave once was his owner treating him well, the slave responded “ No, sir.” The result of this led the man to be taken away from his friends and family, something Douglas states is a “ a hand more unrelenting than death.”
Douglas has witnessed many beatings and people being taken away from their homes. I call him a brave soul. To encounter and witness so many troubling and awful siting’s makes you courageous in my eyes.
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