William Wilberforce a man who was against the slave trade and helped to end the trade in the British Empire strongly believes, “You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” Slavery was a part of the past that most people would like to forget ever happened. Its brutality leaves scars on the minds of those who endured the cruel times. America is left to dangle helplessly by its past of heart-ache and selfishness. During the 17th and 18th century it was a common belief of skin color defining one as an individual. Discrimination increased all throughout the years against African Americans as they were brutally shamed and most were enslaved. Besides the fact that Gary Paulsen’s novel, Nightjohn, is considered …show more content…
Lash after lash their pride would be stripped away from them leaving a depressed and lonely soul. This was just one of his punishments that left their back torn into shreds with their skin hanging from flaps off of their back. The people’s freedom was held in the hands of an oppressor and this was the case for all enslaved people during this time. An African American interviewer conducted an interview on a man named Mingo White. He explained some of the things that they would have to do when they were being sold and what would happen if they didn't do as told, "We had to tell them all sorts of lies for our Master or else take a beating.” Slaves were forced to lie to the people that would buy them so that their Master could get a lot of money. Being beaten was a constant form of punishment and a threat to all slaves. It was very painful which is why it was used to scare the slaves to make them not do bad things and if they disobeyed it would remind them to never do it again or they would have to suffer the consequences. There was no hesitation in the beating process due to the aggression in the minds of the overseers and the master. Drenched in blood and bruises they would be expected to carry out all of their daily jobs regardless of their pain. The brutal punishments given to the slaves in Nightjohn can be confirmed by multiple other