This short preview
gives an insight on black culture and slavery of the medieval era. This brief
analysis includes the story of William Still and his attempt to liberate his
fellow railroad workers regardless of varying uncertainties. Thus, this essay
will attempt to show why fight against slavery was formidable, using several
examples from the video clip of William Stills story captured in his diary as
the Underground Railroad.
In the early
years before the civil war between late 1800 to the early 1900, the constant
increase in the death rate of the slaves due to continuous maltreatment and
their quest for freedom drove the blacks enslaved by white masters existing to
seek out better sanctuaries. Approximately 40,000 blacks took refuge in Canada
because it was the land of the free. In a bid to secure their lives and an
improved standard of living, there was an increase in the influx of people
trying to escape; thus attracting bounty hunters and more deaths. The term
“Underground” was to depict the secrecy and modes by which these blacks were
smuggled out of America. William Still was one of the few blacks born free, he
taught himself how to read and write, and decided he would use his abilities to
help the enslaved blacks.
The formidable
effects of slavery emphasized innumerable cases were runaways trailed by bounty
hunters and dogs, the terrifying branding of the slaves with hot iron and the
whip, but none of these horrors were as painful as having to choose between
different family members and leaving others in unprecedented fleeing
circumstances and loss of loved ones from slave auctions blocks. The horrors
included fleeing without an idea of where to go and avoidance of being spotted
by the bounty hunters. These formidable instances where the reason William
Still made sure his sacrifices by aiding his fellows in achieving human rights
came to stay regardless of increase in slavery.
Extract from http://video.pbs.org/video/2181724307
