Chapter 1, To Be a Slave Summary

The slaves thought slavery existed for two reasons: possession of a renewable source of free labor and the creation of capital earned from the slaves' work and from the selling of slaves. Slavery was a very profitable business. This chapter addresses the essence of what being a slave really meant. Some slaves define it as not being human; others describe it as being a piece of property. Some, accustomed to always being told what to do, upon being freed would consider visiting their old master and ask him what they should do. Being a slave meant enduring beatings, whippings, brainwashing, and pretty much being treated like an animal or lower than an animal.

Some masters were even fathers to their slaves. Most did not acknowledge this, but some did. One master, Powhatan Mitchell, a Whig...