Difference was, they weren't slaves for life. Not that their chances of surviving the voyage, their first summer in Virginia (HUGE shock in terms of temps and disease, along with forced labor and often malnutrition (shared by nearly everyone in the Virginia at times), or their typical terms of servitude, which were sometimes extended for unsuccessful escape attempts. Nor were their children bound to perpetual servitude. Some of the earliest black "servants" imported also had limited terms of service and were freed once they had served. Scots and Irish (and English orphans shanghaied into servitude) were cheap compared to Africans because Africans weren't enfeebled by the climate and disease, so had a much better survival rate. They were the long-term investment for those who could afford them.
Where is my 40 acres and my gott damn mule? The Irish, the largest ethnic minority in the US.
ReplyDeleteDamn, does that mean that Lucky Charms are now considered slave food?
ReplyDeleteIrish Stew....Green Soul Food...????
ReplyDeletevaquero viejo
Difference was, they weren't slaves for life. Not that their chances of surviving the voyage, their first summer in Virginia (HUGE shock in terms of temps and disease, along with forced labor and often malnutrition (shared by nearly everyone in the Virginia at times), or their typical terms of servitude, which were sometimes extended for unsuccessful escape attempts. Nor were their children bound to perpetual servitude. Some of the earliest black "servants" imported also had limited terms of service and were freed once they had served. Scots and Irish (and English orphans shanghaied into servitude) were cheap compared to Africans because Africans weren't enfeebled by the climate and disease, so had a much better survival rate. They were the long-term investment for those who could afford them.
ReplyDelete