Slaves Quote by Drew Gilpin Faust
““Where there are so many negroes upon places as upon ours," wrote an Alabama woman to the governor, "it is quite necessary that there should be men who can and will controle them, especially at this time." Faced with the prospect of being left with sixty slaves, a Mississippi planter's wife expressed similar sentiments. "Do you think," she demanded of GovernorJohn Pettus, "that this woman's hand can keep them in check?" Women compelled to assume responsibility over slaves tended to regard their new role more as a duty than an opportunity.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Letter: Alabama Woman to Governor John Pettus, 1850s
The quote reveals how white women rationalized slavery by claiming control, reflecting gendered power dynamics in the antebellum South.
In simple terms: Women used control rhetoric to justify slavery.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how language masks oppression.
Themes
slavery
gender
power
control
Mood
critical
somber
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- teaching
- public discourse
- museum c
Key Concepts
racial hierarchy
responsibility
historical narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How did enslaved women resist such control?
- What parallels exist in modern power structures?
A Different Perspective
The perspective ignores enslaved peoples’ agency and resistance.
