Page 33 - SurrenderTheBaggage-FBK

Over time, the concept of race has morphed across

cultures and eras, eventually becoming less connected
with ancestral and familial ties, and more concerned
with superficial physical characteristics. 6

In contrast, early white abolitionists in the United States

refuted this definition of the so-called black race.
Instead, their fervent views proclaimed that far from the

subhuman, brutish, wild animalistic savage portrayal
imposed on an entire group of people, black slaves were
humans. They were equal in stature and worth. They not

only desired but deserved freedom like any other human
6
being that GOD Created. Their view of race was quite
antithetical to that of the slaveholding south.

As sociologist Jon D. Cruz documents in his book
"Culture on the Margins," Christian abolitionists, in
particular, contended that a soul was observable in the

emotion expressed through the singing of slave songs
and hymns and that this was proof of the humanity of

African slaves. Furthermore, this was conclusive
affirmation that slaves should be freed. In this instance,

the definition of race served as the philosophical
rationale for the political, economic, and military

ventures of the north against the southern war for
secession. 6

Copyright 2020 33