Differences in Perspectives during the Time of Slavery
Looking at Booker T. Washington, he argued for blacks and whites to "cast down their buckets" and work together, with African Americans gradually gaining more societal rights, particularly economic, through cooperation. His hopeful viewpoint was influenced by his unique circumstances, which greatly differed from Harriet Jacobs. The Emancipation Proclamation freed him before he was even 6 years old, so he did not experience slavery's cruelty thoroughly. Additionally, Washington highlighted that compared to what he had heard, his master was quite tame when it came to handing out punishments, so in addition to not facing slavery's wrath for an extended amount of time, it was also not as ruthless as most other slaves endured. Of course, this is not too say Washington's life was all sunshine and rainbows; however, his different background allowed him to think of American citizens, regardless of race crafting a new future together, rather than focusing on slavery's past wrongdoings. Keeping on, fellow Black Americans criticized Booker for seeking economic and educational rights and not contending for full compensation, while seemingly prompting African Americans to accept a second-class societal role.
However, Harriet Jacobs tells her tale from the perspective of someone who endured a life full of wrongful slavery experiences. In Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Jacobs describes the agony of excessive slave labor, along with the sexual harassment and unceasing fear that slave women specifically encountered. Her autobiography was published four decades before Washington in 1861, leading to vastly different experiences and views. While Booker T. Washington and those around him felt pity for their masters, Harriet Jacobs despised her master, Mr. Flint, who inflicted cruel and appalling treatments, leading her to escape from his captivity. Jacobs fled to her grandmother's house, where she spent several years, hiding from Flint's bounty. Additionally, Flint's severe methods stripped Jacobs of joyful childhood experiences, and her autobiography was before the Emancipation Proclamation, so naturally, her stance is not as positive. Even if Jacobs eventually experienced emancipation like Book did, it is highly unlikely she would approach the topic of racism like he did. While he sought gradual improvements of black rights and seemed content with short-term segregation, Jacobs, after years of brutal slavery, would have probably been like most other former enslaved people, looking for full rights and fair living conditions.
Ultimately, the differences between the Jacobs and Washington's autobiographies show how different slavery experiences shaped their viewpoints. Booker T. Washington experienced freedom in his youth, and thanks to emancipation, his narrative focuses on the potential progress America, and specifically African Americans, can make through proper education and self-discipline. Additionally, Book did not have a lifelong slavery struggle, so he did not focus on his suffering but rather showed his improvements through life and the benefits his people gained over time. Conversely, Harriet Jacobs had to fight for her survival through perseverance, strength, and stealth. She did not experience emancipation, but allowed her relationships with God and her grandmother, along with her kids to allow her, to find joy. Concluding, although the circumstances of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl differ greatly from Up From Slavery, with a woman showing how the struggle of slavery impacted her life physically, mentally, and even spiritually, compared to an eventually freed boy growing up to improve the lives of other fellow African Americans, both autobiographies are crucial works in black history.
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/books/incidents-in-the-life-of-a-slave-girl-by-harriet-jacob/
Hey Olisa,
ReplyDeleteYour comparison between Jacobs and Washington is extremely strong, especially in showing how their different experiences shaped such contrasting beliefs. I really like how you explain Washington's hopeful view and contrast that to the more harsh reality which Jacob has. I do wonder, though, how gender could have influenced both of their perspectives.
Hi Olisa, The amount of time Washington and Jacobs spent in slavery and when definitely impacts the way they experienced it and how they tell their stories. I think it is also important to consider, though, what audience they are writing to. Jacobs is hoping for pity from northern white women, while Washington is trying to advance African American economic opportunities in the south. In addition to the points you have made here, this difference in audience was likely another factor in how they chose to tell their stories.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the other two comments thus far-- I think the factors of audience and the writer's genders also influence the difference between the tones of the two texts here. Nonetheless, the difference between the time spent under slavery for Jacobs and Washington definitely played a role in their different perspectives. I just wanted to end my comment by saying I thought it was funny how you referred to Washington as "Book"-- it caught me off guard and got a chuckle out of me.
ReplyDeleteI also laughed at "Book"
DeleteHi Olisa, I think you made very clear and strong comparisons between Jacobs' and Washington's perspectives. I definitely agree that the time each of them spent in slavery, as well as the treatment from their masters, would have affected their view of the institution. I also believe that the societal role they were born into would have a significant impact on their life experiences as well, and therefore shape the way they wrote their autobiographies. I noticed that you briefly mentioned Harriet Jacobs' experiences that were specific to women with sexual harassment, which I think is extremely valid (it was the topic of my blog) and important to point out as well. There are so many factors that would have played into the varying perspectives that we could discuss (I agree with previous commenters about the targeted audiences), but I think you did a nice job covering a big, overarching contrast in that Jacobs and Washington had different experiences, and therefore different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteHello Olisa, I really like how you explain how Jacobs' and Washington's different experiences shape how their book was written. And while I responded to the same prompt as you, your blog really made me realize the difference between the focus on the autobiographies. In Washington's his time in slavery is only talked about for the first couple chapters and all the other chapters after that is focused on his education and his eventual hope for America to progress and have African Americans and White Americans come together in the south. However, you also really honed down how almost all of Jacob's autobiography centers around her time being enslaved, because she was enslaved for the majority of her life. And while this distinction might seem obvious honing down on it like you did made it all the more powerful.
ReplyDeleteI Definitely agree that Harriet Jacobs and Booker T. Washington have very different experiences in slavery. Their beliefs and thoughts about slavery and empowerment are very relative to their life experiences. I think its interesting how there is so much change in the personal interpretation of peoples experiences in slavery. Booker T. Washington had a more hopeful outlook upon what had happened to him. Harriet Jacobs had more tragic things happen to her, leading to a deep resentment towards her enslavers. I like how you explained this shows the individual impact this had on enslaved people.
ReplyDeleteHello Olisa,
ReplyDeleteYou really made a great point about how Harriet Jacobs' experience was different from Booker T. Washington's. Harriet Jacobs was exposed to a happier childhood, but had that happy era taken away from her by Dr. Flint. Booker T. Washington had a terrible early childhood, but he was emancipated at an early age, which explains why he is quick to forgive his masters and white oppressors. I also laughed when you nicknamed Booker T. Washington "Book". Nice job!
Hi Olisa! Your blog offers a compelling take on why Jacobs views her slave master with hatred while Washington does not. I fully concur with your argument. Jacobs’s prolonged suffering under slavery gave her a visceral understanding of its cruelty. However, since Washington was freed at a very young age, he lacked that same depth of trauma and disgust towards his situation. Good job!
ReplyDeleteOlisa, your insightful interpretation of the differences between Booker T. Washington's and Harriet Jacob's experiences with slavery shows how personal background and circumstance change someone's perspective of freedom and forgiveness. While I read both stories Washington came off as more optimistic, your alternative reading challenges me to think about how his limited exposure to slavery and his age at emancipation shaped his hopeful tone. I wonder, though, how do you think Washington's writing would have changed if he had more exposure to slavery? How similar would it be to Jacobs?
ReplyDelete