The brutal reality of slavery in America is often presented through a lens that, while acknowledging its inherent cruelty, can inadvertently soften its most heinous aspects. This tendency is particularly problematic when it comes to understanding the pervasive and systematic sexual violence that was an integral component of the enslaved experience. As highlighted in a recent article from The Nation, authored by Channing Gerard Joseph, the narrative of slavery as solely “forced labor” is a dangerous oversimplification that fails to capture the full horror inflicted upon millions.

Joseph’s critical examination underscores a disturbing trend: the attempts to “attenuate the brutality of slavery in museum depictions.” This is an absurd proposition, he argues, when our institutions have historically, and continue to, downplay one of slavery’s most horrific and pervasive features – sexual violence. The enslavement of Black people was not merely an economic system built on unpaid labor; it was a system deeply rooted in the ownership and control of bodies, and that control extended to the sexual exploitation of enslaved individuals.

The sexual abuse of enslaved people, particularly women and children, was not an aberration but a foundational element of the institution. Slaveholders, overseers, and even other enslaved individuals (under coercion or duress) were perpetrators of this violence, and the enslaved had virtually no recourse. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the bearing of children were all subject to the control and profit motives of enslavers. The threat and reality of rape, sexual assault, and forced concubinage were constant shadows, shaping the daily lives and psychological landscapes of the enslaved. This sexual violence was a tool of control, a means of dehumanization, and a way to assert absolute power over another person’s being.

Ignoring or minimizing this aspect of slavery is not just an academic oversight; it is a moral failing that perpetuates a distorted understanding of American history. When museums and historical accounts prioritize the economic aspects of slavery while sidelining the sexual violence, they sanitize a history that is intrinsically linked to the trauma and suffering of generations. This selective presentation risks obscuring the full scope of the violence and the ways in which it continues to resonate in contemporary society. Recognizing sexual violence as a central pillar of slavery is crucial for a complete and honest reckoning with this dark chapter in history.

As Joseph aptly points out, the call to soften the depiction of slavery’s brutality is particularly galling given how much has already been understated. The legacy of slavery, including its pervasive sexual violence, has shaped societal structures, power dynamics, and racial inequalities that persist today. Acknowledging the full spectrum of enslaved people’s suffering, including the systematic sexual violence they endured, is not about dwelling on the past for its own sake; it is about understanding the roots of present-day injustices and working towards a more equitable future.

In conclusion, the assertion that slavery was solely “forced labor” is a profound misrepresentation that diminishes the lived experiences of millions. As Channing Gerard Joseph’s work from The Nation so powerfully reminds us, sexual violence was not a secondary consequence but an intrinsic and devastating aspect of the chattel system. Any attempt to “attenuate” this brutality in historical narratives is a disservice to the truth and a continued offense to the memory of those who suffered. A complete and unvarnished understanding of slavery, including its sexual violence, is essential for a genuine process of historical remembrance and societal healing.

The post Slavery Was Not Just Forced Labor but Sexual Violence Too appeared first on The Nation.