Diary of a Slave Owner
This is almost the same story as Diary of a Slave, but from the Slave Owner's perspective.
May 19, 1857
Today, I bought my first slave. When I bought him, he kept screaming at me to buy his brother with him. I did not have enough money to do that, but I finally convinced the salesperson to sell me his brother for half the price. When I took them to my barn, they looked worried and frightened, just the way I like them. I told them every rule in specific detail. They looked bored while I was talking. I gave them the equipment and left them to be.
Every time I look out the window, I get pissed that they are well-behaved. I decided that every time I go out, I would grab my whip, and whip them a few times in order to keep my firmness and prevent any thought of rebellion.
______________________________________________________________________
October 14, 1857
I had a fight with my wife, she kept screaming at me to stop whipping the younger slave, for he is too young to handle these things. Then I told her that they are my slaves, and I would do anything I want with them. She then packed her bags and left the house. I yelled at her from the door and slammed it shut.
At night, I needed to get drunk in order to forget what had happened. I got out, went to the pub, and had a few shots. I came home at about 2:00a.m. Then I saw that slave, sleeping at the barn. That young slave who lost me my wife. He needed to be punished. I grabbed my strong whip, the one I use to punish slaves, but I never used it for they were too behaved. I dragged the young slave out of the bed, and whipped him so hard, that it echoed through the plantation.
His older brother tried to stop me, but I would just whip him a few times, and he would jump back. I continued hitting the slave. Screams of pain and anguish grew after every hit. Blood splattering where the slave stood. Until I stopped, and heard nothing my the panting of my breath, and the dripping of blood from the whip. The boy was on the ground, staring at complete darkness. If I had just bought the older one, my wife wouldn’t have left me. Tears fell from my eyes, though I am not sure if it was for killing a good slave, or losing my wife.
______________________________________________________________________
December 3, 1858
After I got the slave a woman, they got married a month later. Now, the child’s birth is coming. Since a doctor is cheaper than a slave, I decided to pay for the doctor. Getting him a woman was the best idea I have ever had. I get cheap slaves, and he gets a son. Everyone wins, only some more than others. I had the father wait outside till the baby comes. I was sitting near the bed where the mother was screaming in pain.
How I wish it was a boy, then my plantation would be more prosperous each day. When the screaming ceased, I saw the small boy. I smiled widely while I looked at the baby. I told the doctor to tell the news to the father. He gave the baby to the mother and left. I stared intently at the mother, while she was crying tears of joy as she looked at the baby. I left her, and went to see what has come of the father.
I left the house, and saw the father sitting at the porch, slouching. He did not look that happy. He probably remembered his brother. I could not have him depressed like this, something could happen to his wife and I would lose another slave. I decided to create a small celebration for the birth of his son. He was glad that I had made him a celebration. I told him to come inside and clean up to see his son.
______________________________________________________________________
September 30, 1865
Instead of killing my slaves before they left, I decided to let them work for me. I would pay them a small amount, in which would not affect my profit, and still keep them alive. I also allowed them to sleep in the barn, and decorate it as if it was their new home. They happily agreed to stay and work with me. They did not have anywhere else to go.
As their new manager, I decided to learn their names. The father was "Baako", which meant born first. The mother was "Adanna", which means father’s daughter. Lastly, their son was called "Ayokunle", which means joy fills our home. After a couple of days, I asked Baako the name of his brother. He told me Hlatshwayo, which meant, the stabbed one.
Today, I bought my first slave. When I bought him, he kept screaming at me to buy his brother with him. I did not have enough money to do that, but I finally convinced the salesperson to sell me his brother for half the price. When I took them to my barn, they looked worried and frightened, just the way I like them. I told them every rule in specific detail. They looked bored while I was talking. I gave them the equipment and left them to be.
Every time I look out the window, I get pissed that they are well-behaved. I decided that every time I go out, I would grab my whip, and whip them a few times in order to keep my firmness and prevent any thought of rebellion.
______________________________________________________________________
October 14, 1857
I had a fight with my wife, she kept screaming at me to stop whipping the younger slave, for he is too young to handle these things. Then I told her that they are my slaves, and I would do anything I want with them. She then packed her bags and left the house. I yelled at her from the door and slammed it shut.
At night, I needed to get drunk in order to forget what had happened. I got out, went to the pub, and had a few shots. I came home at about 2:00a.m. Then I saw that slave, sleeping at the barn. That young slave who lost me my wife. He needed to be punished. I grabbed my strong whip, the one I use to punish slaves, but I never used it for they were too behaved. I dragged the young slave out of the bed, and whipped him so hard, that it echoed through the plantation.
His older brother tried to stop me, but I would just whip him a few times, and he would jump back. I continued hitting the slave. Screams of pain and anguish grew after every hit. Blood splattering where the slave stood. Until I stopped, and heard nothing my the panting of my breath, and the dripping of blood from the whip. The boy was on the ground, staring at complete darkness. If I had just bought the older one, my wife wouldn’t have left me. Tears fell from my eyes, though I am not sure if it was for killing a good slave, or losing my wife.
______________________________________________________________________
December 3, 1858
After I got the slave a woman, they got married a month later. Now, the child’s birth is coming. Since a doctor is cheaper than a slave, I decided to pay for the doctor. Getting him a woman was the best idea I have ever had. I get cheap slaves, and he gets a son. Everyone wins, only some more than others. I had the father wait outside till the baby comes. I was sitting near the bed where the mother was screaming in pain.
How I wish it was a boy, then my plantation would be more prosperous each day. When the screaming ceased, I saw the small boy. I smiled widely while I looked at the baby. I told the doctor to tell the news to the father. He gave the baby to the mother and left. I stared intently at the mother, while she was crying tears of joy as she looked at the baby. I left her, and went to see what has come of the father.
I left the house, and saw the father sitting at the porch, slouching. He did not look that happy. He probably remembered his brother. I could not have him depressed like this, something could happen to his wife and I would lose another slave. I decided to create a small celebration for the birth of his son. He was glad that I had made him a celebration. I told him to come inside and clean up to see his son.
______________________________________________________________________
September 30, 1865
Instead of killing my slaves before they left, I decided to let them work for me. I would pay them a small amount, in which would not affect my profit, and still keep them alive. I also allowed them to sleep in the barn, and decorate it as if it was their new home. They happily agreed to stay and work with me. They did not have anywhere else to go.
As their new manager, I decided to learn their names. The father was "Baako", which meant born first. The mother was "Adanna", which means father’s daughter. Lastly, their son was called "Ayokunle", which means joy fills our home. After a couple of days, I asked Baako the name of his brother. He told me Hlatshwayo, which meant, the stabbed one.
Post Comment | View Comments
