Family and Religion in Slavery, Essay Example

In the times of slavery, family and religion played important roles in the slave community and had significant functions that either weakened or strengthened the institution of slavery. The slave trade saw the plights of millions of Africans who were snatched from their homes, away from family members to become enslaved in America. This must have been devastating to them, considering how close knit families are, and to be taken away from one’s family must have been the worst experience ever. Slaves were forced to try to reestablish some type of family support systems with fellow slaves. To do this, slaves were eventually allowed to marry and create stable family units within the confines of slavery (Hallam, 2004).

Along with developing family units, the slaves also found their way with religion. Africans tried to hang on to the native religion of their ancestors as much as possible; however, they were soon converted to Christianity by association through their slave status. According to Africans in America (n.d.), with the incidents of their children being born on American soil, Africans soon accepted that Christianity was a part of accepting America as their new home. Consequently, the slaves began to adopt spirituality and the biblical messages that spoke of an equal God and they found comfort in this because it gave them hope for deliverance. That was something that they did hold on to – hope.

It seems that religion in slavery was something that would have weakened the institution of slavery on a deep level that eventually gave the slaves empowerment to fight against the notion of being held captive. This was event by the Underground Railroad movement and other events that showed that slaves were striving to be free. Additionally, it seems that breaking up their families was something that strengthened the institution of slavery because that was something that would have broken their spirits, and with a broken spirit one is often powerless in mind, body and hope. Without hope, there is no active will to do better.

References

Africans in America. (n.d.). Religion and Slavery. PBS Online. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2narr2.html

Hallam, J. (2004). The Slave Experience: Family. Slavery and the Making of America. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/family/history.html