Introduction
In the article “Control After Dark: Slave Owners and Their Control of Slaves’ Intimate Relationships” by Ronald D. Goodwin, the author explores the methods used by Texas slave owners to control the intimate relationships of their slaves. Goodwin argues that the control exerted by slave owners over these relationships, through forced familial separations and involuntary relationships, aimed to disrupt any attempts by slaves to create stable families and communities. The author relies on oral records from the Slave Narratives project as evidence for his argument.
Themes
One theme that emerges from the article is the destruction of black marriages and families through forced separations. Goodwin notes that since slave marriages were not legally recognized, slave owners had the freedom to sell spouses and separate family members at will. He cites examples of slaves being sold as units or separately, leading to intense attachments between black female slaves and their children (Goodwin 2021). The selling of children from their parents was also common, further disrupting family units. The author uses the oral narratives of former slaves to support this theme, highlighting their personal experiences of familial separations.
The article also delves into another theme, which is the domination exercised by white slaveholders concerning the intimate lives of black female slaves. Goodwin posits that white men frequently infringed upon the sexual autonomy of black female slaves, irrespective of their marital status, with impunity. This, he contends, further undermined the sense of masculinity among black male slaves, as they were unable to shield their mothers, wives, and daughters from unwelcome advances (Goodwin 2021). The author draws upon oral testimonials to substantiate this aspect, spotlighting instances of liaisons between white men and black female slaves and the resentment this stirred among white wives.
Analysis
One notable strength of the article is its reliance on oral testimonials from former slaves as corroborating evidence. While some might contend that slave narratives aren’t always entirely accurate, Goodwin argues that they represent the most authentic insight into slavery from the standpoint of those who endured it. The shared experiences recounted in these narratives indicate their credibility as primary sources. Nevertheless, a potential drawback is the limited breadth of the evidence (Goodwin 2021). Given that the article concentrates on Texas, it may not offer a comprehensive overview of the dominion wielded by slaveholders in other geographical regions.
The author discloses the article’s intent by scrutinizing the tactics employed by slave owners to manipulate the dynamics among slaves. His objective is to illuminate the struggle of black slaves to preserve their dignity and foster stable family units within a system deliberately engineered to dismantle them (Goodwin 2021). By examining these strategies and their repercussions on black marriages and families, Goodwin enhances our comprehension of the hardships endured by slaves in upholding their cultural identity and sense of community.
Conclusion
In summary, Ronald D. Goodwin’s work, titled “Control After Dark: Slave Owners and Their Management of Slaves’ Intimate Relationships,” effectively communicates its central thesis by delving into the techniques utilized by Texan slave owners to govern slave relationships. The themes of enforced separations and the regulation of black female slaves’ sexuality hold significant importance in grasping the difficulties faced by slaves in maintaining stable family units and communities. The utilization of oral narratives as supporting evidence bolsters the article’s argument. This source contributes to our understanding of the historical backdrop of slavery and its ramifications on black families, consequently linking to contemporary issues concerning race, authority, and influence.
Reference
Goodwin, Ronald E. 2021. The New Deal and Texas History. Rowman & Littlefield.
