Southern Thought by George Fitzhugh was interesting, because he felt that slavery was beneficial whether it is black slavery or white it is needed. What I liked about this piece is that when making his opinion, he backed it up with facts and good information. While I may not agree with it, it was very well argued. I did not feel like it was insulting, or racist, rather I feel that he believed fully in what he was saying and wasn’t just trying to conform to the social norm. Unlike Thomas Jefferson who preached against slavery, while owning slaves and having relationships with one of his slaves.
In reading Southern Thought, it seems as though he has a lot of pride in the South. He says, “France and England, who fairly represent the whole of so-called free society, are actively engaged in the slave-trade under more odious and cruel form than were ever known before. They must justify their practices; and, to do so, must adopt and follow Southern thought.” He feels that southern thought and southern example should rule the world because their form of slavery is fair and needed. They are nice to their slaves, have acted civilized and according to the bible, so they are a thriving economy, one in which all other country’s should follow.
He argues that to defend and justify only black slavery is unjust and against the cause of the south. It is ignoring the fact that in all states each race may and is being held in slavery. So his argument isn’t racist and suggesting what others have suggested about slavery, he only argues that our economy depends on slavery and uses it as vital lifeline.
In a sense, we still have slavery today. We export many of our goods to be made in factories in third world countries by people who are paid barely anything. It is out of sight, and of no mention by many as to keep people from realizing that slavery still exists to this day.
3 comments:
While I think we all agree that Fitzhugh wrote a well-supported argument, I still think that he was racist. Though he was not opposed to white slavery, he said that the South was “fortunate” to have “this inferior race,” referring to blacks to be slaves so that whites did not have to, especially because Southerners love their liberty, as he later goes on to mention. This seems racist to me, and although he wasn’t simply a conformist, he was trying to make others conform to his way of thinking. He is like an aspirant dictator who is just waiting for the rest of the world to notice that the South is doing things right. He doesn’t have enough power to impose his thoughts on others, but he certainly would be happy to see other countries revert back to Southern-style slavery.
I think the slavery that you mention at the end is like the slavery to capital that Fitzhugh mentions in his piece as being worse than actual slavery because wage laborers are not provided for and have their income taxed. They are kept poor while the rich get richer. He did have a point that their lives are nothing to be envied, and you are right that this type of horrible situation is still going on today.
He definitely does put together a great argument to support his ideas. I personally think he's crazy but that’s our society today. I thought it was interesting that he compared the south to other nations and said that the slaves in the south are treated fairly well. From what we hear this isn’t entirely true but of course he isn’t gonna says that the slaves are going to be tormented and beaten.
Good poinjts, Andrea. I think you are absolutely correct in saying that Fitzhugh was not interested in conforming to popular opinion, although, in his circle his views may have been the popular opinion of the south. I also think you are right in noting the pride that is present in his writing. Pride is such a major theme in the texts we are reading and it is definitely a major part of Fitzhugh's piece. He argues his side well, and with a great deal of pride.
Post a Comment