"Masters v. Slaves
Jacob of Mozambique, slave of W, Servyntyn, for threatening the life of his master, and making resistance against the Veld-Cornet: condemned to be exposed to public view, made fast under the gallows; thereupon to be flogged, branded, and confined on Robben Island (to work in irons) for life."
Jacob basically receives a life sentence for threatening his master. Even with this perspective alone, the unfairness can be seen. The slave's life, of which he doesn't even own because it is at the master's discretion, is basically and permanently taken away from him as he is sent to prison. Now, a true demonstration of unfairness.
"Slaves v Masters
O.C Mostert, for cruel treatment of a female slave, in consequence of which she died; condemned to be banished from this colony and its dependencies for twenty-five years."
To compare, Mostert is not even sent to prison, just sent away from the colonies for 25 years as compared to Jacob, who didn't kill anyone, it given a life sentence to prison on Robben Island. Even the law judges slaves differently. The slaves believed they would be treated differently if they were free but in their society, it is impossible for that to truly happen, that and the chance of them being free was slim as the master's would physically and psychologically prevent slaves from achieving that purpose.
In this time period slaves or people who once were slaves are treated much differently. People like Prince's husband, even when considered a free man of free woman, still had to be careful of his or her actions. There were people so cruel, just like in Masters v Slaves, that they were out to get anyone who stepped out of line even once. It seemed to be limitless how absurd some of their complaints and reasoning for flogging could be.
ReplyDeleteSlaves went from master to master and were always learning new rules to follow. As if the stress of their jobs was not enough, they had to walk on eggshells to be sure they didn't break any rules. As you mentioned, a threat did not hold the same punishment as slave mistreatment. Each master seemed to make up his or her own rules,
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating that even in death, inequality was present. There wasn't a need for trial when it came to dealing with a disobedient slave, and they knew that. The amazing thing was how many slaves knew the consequences of their actions would be fierce, but still had the audacity to fight back against their masters. We have to wonder how many slaves were willing to accept a punishment, all in order to send a message.
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