The Haters: Slavery, Part 2—Of Myths and Mistresses

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're looking at the three commonly discussed historical myths regarding the white women involved in the enslavement of African people in the United States. 1. White women weren't legally able to participate in the slave trade2. White women weren't physically strong enough to be slave masters3. White women had "uniquely feminine" ways of managing enslaved peopleWe talk about where these myths came from and the evidence that exists to prove that they are bogus trash. Long and the short of it: white women were absolutely as capable as white men in being horrendous pieces of shit as active participants in enslaving human beings, and their "unique feminine ways" certainly didn't make them kinder. If anything, there was a more psychologically abusive and calculated form of enslavement carried out by white female slave owners. Another spoiler: slave mistresses were certainly not the only white women involved in the system of slavery. There's plenty of culpability to go around in the ways all white women supported and benefited from the system of enslavement. Equally important to recognize - these same patterns of behavior and abuse exist in the actions of white women today and we ARE capable of stopping that if we commit to recognizing it and changing behavior.