AI vidio reflection

Reflecting on the History of Slavery

Depiction of the Atlantic Slave Trade

During class, we watched video presentations made by classmates about slavery in both the United States and the United Kingdom. These presentations helped me better understand not only the cruelty of slavery but also the strength and resilience of those who endured it.

John Calhoun and Pro-Slavery Beliefs

One video focused on John Calhoun, a man known for his strong pro-slavery beliefs. Hearing his statement that “slavery was a positive good” was shocking. While people in his time may not have called it good, they accepted it as a necessary part of life, showing how normalised injustice was in that era.

Slave Markets and Broken Families

Enslaved families being separated and sold
during the Antebellum slave trade

Another presentation explored the lives of enslaved families during the Antebellum period. Slave markets operated like livestock auctions, where people were inspected, priced, and sold. Cities like New Orleans, Richmond, and Charleston became centers of this brutal trade. Families were often separated parents from children, siblings from each other because buyers only purchased what they could afford. This part of history really struck me because it showed how people were treated purely as property, with no regard for love or family bonds.

Resistance and Escape

The videos also described the courage of those who tried to escape slavery. Runaways risked everything, facing harsh weather, starvation, and bounty hunters paid to track them down. Many used the stars to guide their way and relied on people who were brave enough to help them. Their determination represented more than just escape it was a fight for dignity and freedom.

The Abolition Movement in Britain

We also learned about the abolition movement in Britain. The James Somerset case in 1772 declared that slavery had no legal standing in England, inspiring hope for change. William Wilberforce later fought to end the slave trade, leading to major reforms like the Slave Trade Act of 1807 and the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.

Final Thoughts

Overall, these presentations made me realize how deeply slavery shaped history and why remembering it matters. Learning about this past is not just about facts it’s about recognising the suffering, bravery, and humanity of those who lived through it.

AI Disclosure: I took notes on the videos and threw my notes into AI to organize them. I then wrote the rest adding new ideas, thoughts, images, and captions.