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In a powerful and illuminating interview, Dr. Gregory Smithers, author of “Slave Breeding: Sex, Violence, and Memory in African-American History,” discusses one of the most disturbing aspects of American slavery – the systematic breeding of enslaved people. As a historian born in Sydney, Australia, and now teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Smithers brings a unique outsider perspective to this challenging topic.
The Origins of the Research
Dr. Smithers’ interest in this topic emerged while researching his first book about “breeding out colour,” a concept popular in the English-speaking world from the 18th through 20th centuries. His discovery of how these ideas affected enslaved African Americans led him to investigate the broader history of slave breeding in America.
The historical community was deeply divided on this issue. While some scholars found evidence of coercive breeding practices, others dismissed it as abolitionist propaganda. This scholarly divide, combined with the lack of serious research since the 1970s, motivated Dr. Smithers to undertake this critical work, focusing particularly on the perspectives and memories of African-American people.
The Business of Breeding
The interview with Dr. Gregory Smithers sheds light on the horrific and calculated practice of slave breeding. It reveals that slave owners, driven by economic motives, strategically targeted young African-American women between the ages of 12 and 28, exploiting their prime childbearing years to increase their enslaved workforce. This practice was not random but involved meticulous business planning, with owners forecasting their labor requirements and manipulating reproduction to meet those needs.
The exploitation of enslaved women’s fertility was a key component of the slave economy. Owners viewed enslaved women as reproductive assets, capable of producing valuable offspring who would be born into slavery and increase the owner’s wealth. The practice of slave breeding involved various methods, including forced pairings, sexual exploitation, and the encouragement of high fertility rates. Enslaved women were subjected to physical and psychological abuse and denied autonomy over their bodies and reproductive choices.
The impact of slave breeding was devastating for enslaved families and communities. Children were separated from their mothers at a young age, sold to other owners, and subjected to the harsh realities of slavery. The trauma of forced separation and the constant threat of family disruption had lasting effects on individuals and generations to come.
The Staggering Scale of Forced Reproduction in the Antebellum South
The practice of forced reproduction among enslaved people in the United States was a key factor in the dramatic growth of the enslaved population during the 19th century. As noted by W.E.B. Du Bois, the number of enslaved individuals increased from around 1 million at the dawn of the century to over 4 million by 1860. This exponential growth occurred despite the abolition of the international slave trade in 1808, highlighting the centrality of forced reproduction to the perpetuation and expansion of slavery.
The economic implications of this practice were vast. By the outbreak of the Civil War, the enslaved population was valued at approximately $3.5 billion, an amount equivalent to over $70 billion in today’s currency. This staggering figure underscores the immense financial incentive for slaveholders to engage in the forced breeding of enslaved people, treating them as human chattel whose primary purpose was to generate profit through their labor and offspring.
The system of forced reproduction was characterized by a complete disregard for the basic human rights and dignity of enslaved women. They were subjected to sexual violence, coercion, and manipulation, with their reproductive lives controlled and exploited for the benefit of their enslavers. The physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon enslaved women through this practice was profound and enduring, leaving a lasting legacy of pain and suffering.
The consequences of forced reproduction extended far beyond the individual experiences of enslaved women. The practice had a devastating impact on families and communities, as children were often separated from their mothers and sold to other slaveholders. This systematic disruption of family ties served to further dehumanize enslaved people and reinforce the power dynamics of the slave system.
Understanding the scale and impact of forced reproduction is crucial to comprehending the full extent of the horrors of slavery in the United States. It was a practice that not only fueled the economic engine of slavery but also inflicted profound and lasting harm on individuals, families, and communities. Recognizing this dark chapter in American history is essential to acknowledging the resilience and strength of enslaved people who resisted and endured such unimaginable cruelty.
The Human Cost
The Devastating and Multi-Generational Impact of Slave Breeding
The practice of slave breeding inflicted profound and enduring psychological and physical harm on enslaved individuals and their descendants. Women subjected to forced breeding often experienced significantly shortened lifespans, with many not surviving past their mid-30s due to complications arising from repeated pregnancies and childbirth. Although some extreme cases documented women forced to bear 25 or more children, the more typical range was between three and eight children.
Beyond the physical abuse, the emotional trauma of slave breeding was pervasive. Enslaved people lived with the constant fear of having their families torn apart through sales, a fear that became a harsh reality for many. The massive movement of freed people searching for lost family members after emancipation serves as a testament to the widespread and devastating impact of family separation.
The psychological impact of slave breeding extended far beyond the immediate physical and emotional abuse. The constant threat of separation and the loss of family members created a deep sense of insecurity and anxiety that permeated the lives of enslaved individuals. This trauma was passed down through generations, shaping the experiences and worldviews of descendants of enslaved people.
Furthermore, the practice of slave breeding had long-lasting consequences for the health and well-being of enslaved communities. The physical toll of repeated pregnancies and childbirth led to chronic health problems for many women, while the emotional trauma of separation and loss contributed to mental health issues that persisted across generations. The legacy of slave breeding continues to impact the health and well-being of African Americans today, highlighting the enduring consequences of this brutal system.
White Privilege and Historical Memory
The interview delves into the complex relationship between this history and contemporary issues of white privilege. Dr. Smithers discusses how the existence of slavery served as a form of “affirmative action” for white people, whether they owned many slaves or simply hired slave labor occasionally. This system created enduring economic and social advantages that continue to impact American society.
The discussion touches on modern resistance to confronting this history, as exemplified by efforts in some states to minimize or remove slavery from school curricula. Dr. Smithers argues that facing this history honestly is crucial for healing contemporary racial divisions, noting that these issues “didn’t just spring out of nowhere” but have “a long history that dates back to the founding of the nation.”
Legacy and Contemporary Impact
The interview explores how the trauma of slave breeding continues to influence modern society. The practice of colorism within the African-American community, for instance, can be traced back to the privileging of lighter-skinned enslaved people during slavery. Even today, skin tone and hair texture issues remain sensitive topics within the community.
Dr. Smithers emphasizes that understanding American history is impossible without fully grappling with the reality of racial slavery. The legal, constitutional, and political structures that enabled slavery have left lasting imprints on American society that continue to shape racial and economic inequalities.
Conclusion
This powerful interview highlights the importance of confronting difficult historical truths for healing present-day wounds. As Dr. Smithers argues, avoiding or denying this history only perpetuates its harmful legacy. By understanding the systematic nature of slave breeding and its lasting impact, we can better comprehend and address contemporary racial issues in America.
The conversation serves as a crucial reminder that the effects of slavery weren’t limited to the physical violence and economic exploitation of the time – they created psychological and social patterns that continue to influence American society today. Only by acknowledging and understanding this history can we hope to address its lasting impacts and work toward genuine racial healing and reconciliation.
For those interested in learning more, Dr. Smithers’ book “Slave Breeding: Sex, Violence, and Memory in African-American History” provides a comprehensive examination of this crucial but often overlooked aspect of American history.
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