Southern history buffs should definitely check out Institute friend Judy Richardson's documentary "Slave Catchers, Slave Resisters," which will premiere on the History Channel tomorrow, May 26, from 8-10 p.m. The film offers a look into the world of slave policing -- "enforced by militia, armed community slave patrols, paid slave catchers, and federal law" -- as well as the ingenuity of slave resistance.
As the film's press release points out, the documentary gives vivid stories that debunk the idea that African Americans passively suffered oppression:
As the film's press release points out, the documentary gives vivid stories that debunk the idea that African Americans passively suffered oppression:
While the stories show the brutality of the slave system, they also reveal another, often-overlooked side of the history -- the strength and ingenuity of the enslaved. As historian Peter Wood observes, “Would they [the enslaved] go willingly into a situation of perpetual racial servitude? No way!”Judy, whose activism started with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s, is a Senior Producer at Northern Light Productions. Definitely worth seeing.
In the South, we portray slave hunters and their bloodhounds, who sometimes lost against the intelligence and fight-to-the-death courage of the enslaved. And in the North, we show slave catchers who were sometimes blocked by an organized – and armed -- black community. Historian James O. Horton comments: “Boston is not a safe place for slave catchers to operate… Blacks – and sometimes whites – formed as groups to protect fugitives.”
Even in the South, plantations were like pressure cookers. Sometimes they exploded into full-scale rebellions -- like the 1739 Stono Rebellion in South Carolina or the 1831 rebellion led by Nat Turner in Virginia.
However ... the main problem for slave owners was not rebellion, but runaways. Historian Loren Schweninger notes, “A minimum number of slaves per year that ran away was 50,000 and probably many more... It was almost routine.” Most ran simply to be reunited with family members who’d been sold away.
I REALLY ENJOYED THE DOCUMENTARY "SLAVE CATCHERS, SLAVE RESISTORS" ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL. THE INFORMATION WAS NOT ONLY EDUCATIONAL BUT PROVIDING FACTS THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH MY TEEN LIFE SKILLS GROUP AT SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW YORK. YOU SEE SOME OF THE STUDENTS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF WHAT SLAVERY MEANT TO OUR PEOPLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHY MANY OF OUR YOUTH ARE LOST. THEY HAVE NO ROOTS OR VESTED INTEREST IN WHAT THE STRUGGLE FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN IS ABOUT! THEY CANNOT GRASP THE CONCEPT OF WWHAT IT IS LIKE BEING BLACK IN AMERICA TODAY.
February 11, 2009 7:06 PM | Reply
As a white, native of South Carolina I found "Slave Catchers, Slave Resistors" to be compelling and would suggest that it no longer be described as "Black History" alone. Learning that the South Carolina colonial government required all able-bodied white males, slave owners or not, to participate in organized control of a slave population greatly exceeding the size of the white population suggest a significant commitment of time and resources.
I recall reading that only around 2% of the white population of the South owned slaves at the beginning of the Civil War. Even so the South raised hundreds of regiments of poor white soldiers to fight for the plantation owners right to his/her unique "property." The power of control over information and hence over the population never ceases to amaze. I wonder when we Americans will come to accept that few of our ancestors lived in the Tara's of the day and that most were subsistence farmers or laborers. For good or ill the lives of black slaves and whites, rich or poor have been connected far more than most of us realize or are willing to accept. In the American South there is no "just Black History" or "just White History"!
Respectfully suggest that "Slave Catchers, Slave Resistors" be a regular presentation on the History channel and NOT just during Black History month. It should be on frequently during the 12 American History months of every year! IT IS PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
February 12, 2010 11:25 AM | Reply
Henry, I also live in SC. I thought the show was interesing.
Many rebel flag lovers would say all this was a lie.
The reason most Americans don't study or like history. They can't stand the truth. Or as a history professor told me around 55 years ago. History is not pretty.
February 13, 2010 10:31 AM | Reply