LTP News Sharing:
Kamala Harris made false accusations about Florida’s new standards for teaching black history, claiming that the standards require teaching that blacks “benefited from slavery.” in reality, the standards require teaching the full spectrum of black history, including the following facts about the type of work enslaved people performed during the era of slavery.
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Many
slaves who were brought to America and the Caribbean already had
marketable skills and trade expertise. These skills included:
- Agriculture:
Many slaves were skilled farmers and agricultural laborers.
They knew how to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops such as
sugar, tobacco, cotton, and rice. - Building:
Many slaves were skilled carpenters, masons, and
bricklayers. They were responsible for building and
maintaining the infrastructure of the plantations and
settlements, including houses, barns, roads, and bridges. - Metalworking:
Many slaves were skilled blacksmiths, silversmiths, and
gunsmiths. They made tools and weapons for the plantations
and settlements, as well as jewelry and other decorative
objects. - Textiles:
Many slaves were skilled weavers, spinners, and tailors.
They made clothing and textiles for the plantations and
settlements. - Domestic
work: Many slaves were skilled in domestic tasks such as
cooking, cleaning, and childcare. They were responsible for
providing for the basic needs of the plantation owners and
their families. - Skilled
trades: Some slaves had more specialized skills, such as
carpentry, masonry, or blacksmithing. These slaves were
often valued more highly by their owners and were given more
responsibility.
It is important to note that not all
slaves had marketable skills. Some slaves were brought to
America and the Caribbean as children and never had the
opportunity to learn a trade. Others were skilled in trades that
were not in demand in the Americas, such as weaving or pottery.
However, many slaves did have marketable skills and trade
expertise, and these skills were essential to the development of
the Americas.
In addition to their skills, many slaves also had knowledge of traditional African medicine and herbalism. This knowledge was often used to treat the sick and injured on the plantations. Some slaves were also skilled in music and dance, and they played an important role in the cultural life of the plantations.
The skills and knowledge of slaves were a valuable asset to the Americas. These skills helped to build the infrastructure of the colonies, provide for the basic needs of the population, and create a vibrant cultural life. The contributions of slaves to the development of the Americas are often overlooked, but they are essential to understanding the history of the region.
References:
- The Interesting Narrative
of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano. In
his book, Equiano describes how he was trained in a variety
of trades in his native Africa, including carpentry,
masonry, and blacksmithing.
- The Oxford Companion to Sugar
and Sweets by David M. Smith
and Michael D. Coe. This book discusses the history of sugar
production in the Americas, and it includes a chapter on the
role of slaves in the sugar industry. The chapter states
that “many slaves brought to the Americas were skilled
farmers and agricultural laborers, and they played a vital
role in the development of the sugar industry.” - The Social Science
Encyclopedia by George Ritzer.
This encyclopedia article on slavery discusses the skills
and knowledge that slaves brought with them to the Americas.
The article states that “slaves were often skilled in a
variety of trades, including agriculture, building,
metalworking, textiles, and domestic work.” - Encyclopedia of African
American History, 1619-1895: From the Colonial Period to
the Age of Frederick Douglass by
Paul Finkelman. This encyclopedia article on slavery in the
United States discusses the skills and knowledge that slaves
brought with them to the Americas. The article states that
“many slaves were skilled farmers, artisans, and laborers,
and their skills were essential to the development of the
American economy.”
Author: Frances Rice