The idea of slavery is naturally associated with race. People automatically categorize slaves and slave masters as either black or white. Though slavery did exist millions of years ago, slaves never belong or correspond to a specific race or culture. Before slavery in America became of racial servitude, land and property owners used indentured slaves to meet their economic needs, without spending a fortune. The reason that the indentured servitude system was ineffective was because after the indentured slaves serve their specified time they were obliged to be free. Many landowners also felt threatened by newly freed servants demand for land. The colonial elite realized the problems of indentured servitude and decided to find an alternative …show more content…
Because society deems it so? … It is a fact, it is a plain fact that what is true and right is true and right for all. White and black alike.” It was difficult for white individuals to accept blacks as their equal. Many whites believed their black counterparts to be intellectually inferior. Regardless of this statement, whites refused to permit blacks the right of an education. The slave master's primary fear was permitting slaves to read and write, thus, leading slaves to communicate plans for rebellion. Therefore, slave masters justified their actions by correlating blacks to children and indicating that slaves are “Our children who need to be cared for and disciplined. They are content and are actually better off than free white laborers working in northern factories.” Masters used the concept of paternalism in order to justify their relationship with their slaves. Some even used specific excerpts of the bible to prove to the slaves that god required them to follow the lord (their master) and treat them with respect. Racial servitude stripped slaves of their identity. Slaves were only looked at as “help” and nothing more. Some were even denied the right to keep their