Alabama Slave Code of 1833

This evening’s blog is analyzing Alabama’s Slave Code of 1833. History is fascinating and especially documents that show were people’s stereotyping of class or race are derived from. As I read the Alabama Code, some parts were like Déjà vu due to things I have read or seen in books and films. 2 of the Code’s paragraphs surprised me and it will you if taken the time to read it. I’m going to address those paragraphs due to time constraint.

Some quick facts:

• Slaves could only be a witness to a crime if the crime was more severe than petty larceny and then only witness against another slave
• Killing or dismembering a Slave would bring the same punishment afforded as if he crime was against a white person, unless the killing or dismembering was in response to insurrection.
• Most of the punishments for whites or free mulettos socializing or attending meetings with slaves were cash forfeit, for the slaves, it was “stripes” or lashes from a whip.
• Slaves couldn’t own dogs or horses.
• “Cruel or unusual punishment” was prohibited on slaves

Let’s take this last line for sure. What exactly is “cruel and unusual” punishment? Whipping someone’s bare back with a whip not to exceed 39 times isn’t cruel? This shows a “non-human” mindset of those in favor of slavery, and it’s ok to whip your animals. That line was sarcastic to say the least. If slaves were the Master’s property, then why couldn’t they kill their slaves? There are many contradictions in the code as to what exactly they think of slave, are they human therefore equal? They bypass this question in paragraph 1.

The second paragraph was number 31, stating no person will teach a slave to read, spell, or write. Why would Master not want an educated Slave of whom could make better decisions? Probably because the slave would end up smarter than Master and outwit him. They were actually afraid of slaves education themselves, talking in more than 5 male slaves in a group (#37).

Deep down, I believe the proponents of slavery knew slavery was wrong and against what God taught in the bible. Many of the Southern plantation owners were “God-fearing” and knew the difference between right and wrong. Alabama’s Slave Code is an interesting read on a terrible subject and gives a better view of beliefs and stereotype in the 1800’s

On Zinn

"He is perhaps best known for A People's History of the United States, which presents American history through the eyes of those he feels are outside of the political and economic establishment." -(http://www.howardzinn.org)

"Of whom are outside the political and economic Establishment"

I don't think there is anyone outside of these two groups. We all are rounded up and corraled into one group or another, sometimes both.

"Objectivity is impossible, and it is also undesirable. That is, if it were possible it would be undesirable, because if you have any kind of a social aim, if you think history should serve society in some way; should serve the progress of the human race; should serve justice in some way, then it requires that you make your selection on the basis of what you think will advance causes of humanity.” (http://hnn.us/articles/1493.html)

In plain English, write history to make it conform to your beliefs and political ideology.

While Zinn's efforts are exemplary, he fails on the bias test. Addressing the fact all history is from one point of view or another, I respect Zinn's view from the "other side" even though he thinks that his writing is neutral politically. The side of the Native Americans that they were robbed of land and wealth. The side of the Slaves that were captured and sold by their own countrymen to the Portuguese for transport to the New World, and more sides that I haven't read yet. By contrasting Zinn's view with some others on History, I hope to get to the truth of it; or a better idea of the biased view, instead the political truth which furthers one's ideology.

Hello Everyone,

A little about me, I'm a middle aged male, I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up. I will probably major in History at CSU. I am a single parent of a new High School grad of whom I'm very proud of. I work for a major transportation company here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I love my job and I think it's the second best I've ever had. The best job I had was in the Army as a Flight Engineer on a Chinook Helicopter. I wish everyone good luck and I'm looking forward to reading your posts in this class.