The BondsWoman’s Narrative, by Hannah Crafts is a novel that was compiled by Henry Louis Gates (who purchased Craft’s manuscripts at auction); in the novel, Craft recounts her experiences as a young mixed woman (mulatto), who eventually gains her freedom. As the novel develops, the widespread effects of institutional oppression seem to extend beyond the color barrier. While it is somewhat redundant to highlight the plight of the African-American within the confines of slavery, it is interesting to examine the “bleeding” of this effect across the racial barrier as the distinction between white and black seems to blurr. Through closer examination, it becomes clear that White/Black no longer serves as an accurate gauge to direct racially based hatred; it becomes clear that this intolerance is solely based on keeping the upper echelon of society in power.
The reality of this (economic/hierarchal) oppression is highlighted from the beginning exposition by Craft. The novel opens by describing how Hannah was taught to read and write by Aunt Hetty (who is white); she would often steal away “…to ponder the pages of some old book or newspaper” (Crafts 7). After getting caught, Aunt Hetty and her husband are sent to jail. It is clear that oppression in this society is not solely limited to race; Aunt Hetty was sent to jail because the education that she provides to Hannah is a threat to the existing power structures in southern society. Because these structures allow for the effective commercialization of southern plantations, threats to these structures are met with intense malice.
Additionally, it becomes clear that appearance is not the sole delineator of whether or not racial oppression is deemed necessary (by the racists). Hannah’s new mistress is revealed to be a light-skinned slave, who was switched in the crib (Crafts 29). Mr. Trappe (a racist) is seen repeatedly blackmailing Hannah’s mistress. If this secret were to come out, it is likely that Hannah’s mistress would have been severely disciplined. Hannah’s mistress is a mixed person masquerading as white, thus, as she has achieved a position of comparable comfort as a mixed person, she threatens the very institutions that continue the devastating system of societal oppression enforced in the American south. If she is allowed to “undeservingly” reap the benefits of this systematic oppression, it does not send a good message to other slaves.
By saying that an entire race of people is sub-human, southern slave owners were able to convince an entire population of economically disadvantaged (white) people that they inherently had it better than the slaves. As a result, the completely lopsided distribution of income in the southern economy is somewhat justified in the eyes of racists.
How have these systems of oppression affected economically disadvantaged people in southern society?
How is literacy linked to rebellion?
Jesse, I think this is a really thorough analysis of the systematic nature of oppression that was used during this period, and it also points to the realities of systemic racism in today’s society. There seems to be a pattern of wanting to maintain a certain hierarchy of control which the “upper echelon of society,” as you say, works to create and preserve. Even those who are not identified as black, such as Aunt Hetty, are subject to protecting this power dynamic, even if they don’t want to. It’s interesting how it’s not just a matter of race either, but economic as well. This multi-dimensional oppression is therefore used on various demographics, such as the economically deprived individuals that you allude to. A similar scheme can be seen today, wherein racist systems are designed to disadvantage certain groups (people of color) while simultaneously benefiting others (those with the power). I think this book shows the roots of this issue, and your examination of it illustrates the realities that were present in the past, but which are still alive today.