Persuasive Essay On Slavery

Dearest President Buchanan,
Empowered figures in this great land speak of equality. Of fairness under the laws, or of liberty and justice for all, or that all men, as far as governmental jurisdiction is concerned, are created equal. But I say to you – This is far from the truth, though perhaps it is an untruth many would presume necessary for the good of society. Good people sharing my race are condemned to nigh infinite torment that departs only in death. Why must my children live in a society that dictates one’s fate on the basis of appearance over heart? Why, after having become forty years of age, is this a piece of the very fabric we have constructed our society upon? This must not be, for it goes against the very ideas of equality that

Slavery can devour the mind and lead to extreme action. We know of Nat Turner, whose mind was twisted to the point of believing that the murder of another race would lead to him receiving justice for the inactions against him. Slavery has a way of twisting the mind…Of corrupting the human spirit, or of damaging what might otherwise be a benefit – not a detriment – to society! The very idea of slavery is an impairment of free will. Enslaved people are given no choice over how they want to live. Attempting to escape is tantamount to one’s own destruction. The punishments are gruesome beyond measure, and trial by jury is practically irrelevant to enslaved people. Furthermore, slaves are often punished for crimes as miniscule as looking at their masters improperly. If a slave appears dissatisfied, he must surely have the devil within him…Such are the presumptions made to the expense of enslaved people. We find that the punishments extend far beyond what might normally come to mind with the idea of “cruel or unusual” punishments. We find that some enslaved people have been tied to smoke houses…Before being set back to work, newfound injuries and