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Explorations in Ethnic Studies

Explorations in Ethnic Studies

Authors

John C. Walter

Orginal Publication Date

1979

Journal Title

Explorations in Ethnic Studies

Volume

2

Issue

ees/vol2/iss2

First Page

27

Last Page

29

Abstract

In the beginning the history of slavery was written in political and institutional terms, and very little attention was paid to what the day-to-day participants in this odious adventure had to say. With time, historians realized they had to take into account personal views, feelings, and reminiscences of the participants, but this realization brought about predominantly the recollections and opinions of white people. This was so because it was generally accepted that most black people were illiterate and had little to say for themselves. It was understood also that when they said anything, it would be exaggerated and self-serving and, consequently, would be of little historical value. Exceptions, of course, were made for people like Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, and Solomon Northrup because, clearly, they were extraordinary.

Rights

Copyright, ​©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1979

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