Ashley Diaz

Period 5
2/14/16
U.S. History
Film Packet Essay
John C. Calhoun, one of the most important proslavery politicians had made a
speech in the U.S. Senate The Positive Good of Slavery. John C. Calhoun had made
remarks about the treatment of slaves, claiming that slaves are treated with
hospitality and are given the utmost of respect. Not only that, but Calhoun said it
was a right for white men to own slaves and that the whole idea and purpose of
slavery was beneficial for both sides; the slaver and the slave. To maintain the
existing relations between the two races. John C. Calhoun stated that it is
necessary for a community to strive and live on the labor of another.
In the film 12 Years A Slave, there have been multiple showings of the
mistreatment and asinine struggle that African American slaves have dealt with. As
the film progresses, there is a scene where a slave had died of heat exhaustion.
Patsy, a slave that was favored by Mr.Epps had been one of the victims to encounter
a numerous amount of abuse and sexual harassment. Patsy was whipped because
she left to get soap and was also raped by Mr.Epps her Master. When Mrs.Epps had
come to realize that Mr.Epps had sexual and intimate (forced) relations with Patsy,
Mrs.Epps was so bewildered and overwhelmed with jealousy and anger that she
took it out on Patsy resulting in her throwing a glass bottle at Patsys face. This is
most certainly not congruent to the words that John C. Calhoun had spoken on the
behalf of those enslaved. This is not the conclusive proof of the general happiness
of the race. In spite of all the exaggerated tales to the contrary. This pointing
towards the reports and books and possibly images that surfaced to media and the
eyes of the people exposing the so-called exaggerated tales that the slaves are
experiencing.

Frederick Douglass a former slave had written an autobiography about

himself and his life as a slave. Frederick talks about how slaves were being fed. He
says that the food was coarse. This was called mush. Their food was put into a big
trough and placed onto the floor. The children were then called like pigs, and like
pigs they devoured. In his book he states, My feet have been so cracked with the
frost, that the pen with which I am writing might be laid in the gashes. Frederick
had a master who was a female that was named Mrs.Auld. Frederick says that she
was the kindest of souls. She even attempted to teach Frederick the ABCs, which
was taboo for slaveholders because they saw that as a threat, for a slave to own
knowledge was a slave with power. This refutes the words of John C. Calhoun who
says that Africans from the dawn of history, to present day, attained a condition so
civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally, and intellectually.
Despite the slaves being brought down emotionally, mentally, and worn out
physically in all aspects. However, Mrs.Auld soon turned cold hearted and cruel. Her
words were shrouded in darkness and evilness. Not only does this demonstrate the
harsh cruelty that Frederick and countless slaves had come to face but, this also
shows that he suffered a lot from the cold. Frederick says that he was kept almost
naked, with no shoes, no stockings, no jackets, no trousers, nothing on but a course
tow linen shirt that had reached his knees. Frederick had no bed and when it was
too cold to bear he would steal a bag which was used for carrying corn to the mill
and crawl in it to sleep on the drastic floor. His head was covered but his feet were
exposed to the frostiness of the night therefore creating the dryness in his feet to
aggravate to such a parlous extent.
John C. Calhoun says that throughout the span of time, there has not been
one person who was dependent on the work and hardships of another. We may
look to ancient times, biblical times, where women were subordinate to men. This

quote had reminded me of when Sojouner Truth was doing her speech, and she says
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted
over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into
carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! Truth is saying that
because of her skin color, she isnt seen as a woman, shes an African American
who has been treated lesser of a person. Truth states that she can work and eat as
much as a man; when she could get it, and bear the leash.
In conclusion, the analyzation of John C. Calhouns speech summarizes that
he sees slavery as something that the South cannot and will not abandon. Despite
the exaggerated tales, he views slavery as something that benefits the slave and
the Master. Slavery was necessary for the community in the South, because they
were so dependent on the labor being done by someone else being inhumanely
treated, they falsely accused enslavement as an occupation that inspired the
positive growth of mental, emotional, and physical aspect of the slaves.