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Do you think movies exaggerate slavery?
I remember watching "Amistad" and thinking "Omg, what a horrible existence to be a slave, and to be treated so inhumanely"
Then yesterday I watched "12 years a slave" and i wept more then when i saw Passion of the christ. Good lord, was the white man that evil? and so widespread? (95% of the whites are portrayed as reincarnations of the devil himself. And im not even religious so that should speak volumes)
2 Answers
- 7 years agoFavorite Answer
Sometimes slavery (such as in classical times in Athens etc) is a bit exaggerated and a lot of slaves we're treated more like basic workers (withouts rights obviously) but I think I remember a quote from Plato or Xenophon that is along the lines of 'treat you slaves as you would a tool and they will not rebel' or something like that basically saying if you take basic care of your slaves they will just get on with the work.
Though a lot of slaves were treated badly, no one can deny that.
I think it's probably better to read history books than watch movies which make up 'fact' for entertainment. Books = education. Movies = entertainment and a small amount of education.
- alicatsamLv 67 years ago
Some slaves were treated relatively well. Many were treated like farm animals, and many females were raped. It's pretty sick to have sex with something you don't consider as human.
As a non-black person who went through both physical and emotional abuse, I don't think a movie, or any form of fiction, can half convey the deep pain and lifelong consequences. I was treated like a possession, too. I suffered intensely for many years after, and had nightmares for many more. Trust was a huge issue. If someone came toward me for a hug, I'd cringe. I had anxiety attacks all the time, very uncomfortable, embarrassing, and sometimes physically painful. It's incredibly hard to be around people, especially crowds.
What's important to understand about slavery and the Holocaust is that many people went along out of fear. Anyone protecting the persecuted could suffer the same tortures. Their families, including children, could be tortured and/or killed if they were caught resisting in any way.
Source(s): Personal experience and a lot of reading. - 7 years ago
Some slaves were perhaps treated better than others. Some were treated horrifically.
For example in the 1800's if the slaves did anything wrong they could be nailed to a post and have their ears, teeth, hands cut off or their eyes gouged out by law.
Even nowadays many people in Africa are captured by terrorists to be used as war slaves. Those who can't fight have their arms cut off so they can't fight AGAINST them...
