Let's Talk About Slavery at Christmas

Let's have this difficult conversation.
Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938
www.loc.gov/collections/slave...
Thumbnail photo by- Tgdavison photography

[@JessieBanana]

I actually think it’s more horrific that you could take a break to see an individual’s humanity and then go right back to treating them like an animal in a few days.

[@pecantan292]

🗣👏🏽👏🏽

[@davidmadly]

The way you worded this was perfect. I can't imagine the enslavers' garbled logic that let them think they were good people. Good people can't turn off their empathy for others 364 days of the year.

[@hottiegirl4814]

@@davidmadly the most horrible part is that it was so normalized in their society most didn’t even see it as bad

[@hottiegirl4814]

@@davidmadly by most i mean slave owners

[@rachelmcdonough1506]

It’s haunting to think about how many plantation owners were raised by enslaved women and befriended their children when they were young and then went on to continue to deprive them of their basic human rights. It is psychologically so bizarre.

[@Anthumsnailbunny]

Its a lot like any other cycle of abuse, abusers have to include honeymoon periods to maintain the relationship and stay in control. Its not from the kindness of their hearts

[@nikoking825]

I just watched this video and I had the same thought, only on a much larger scale ⚖.

[@taotaostrong]

Excellent point. 💞

[@CIST3]

Yeah, well, what do you want to bet that they were convinced they were being good Christians.

[@julietfischer5056]

@@CIST3 - Naturally. They thought they were doing their property a favor simply by owning them. Because they believed they were 'civilizing' a 'savage' race.

[@sue7104]

its cheaper to pass out gifts, than to pay wages. also, it was stuff they had to have.

[@KBcollision]

Enslavers: we will give you days off for christmas bc you are human Also enslavers: we enslave you bc you are less than human

[@oliviagrace6914]

God bless! Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and died on a cross for our sins so we can live again in Heaven where there is no pain or suffering! God is our Father and Creator and raised His Son Jesus from the dead! Confess and repent of your sins and God will freely forgive you! Trust in God and live for Jesus as He died for you! 💝

[@KBcollision]

@@oliviagrace6914 how interesting you raise the point of christianity, which was shoved at enslaved people to erase their own culture (but positively provided some sense of inner community for them). No, no thank you. Your religious text supports slavery and i prefer to live rationally and compassionately without need of the lure of heaven or threat of eternal damnation

[@kellyriddell5014]

@@KBcollision Even as a Christian, I appreciate you saying that. The parts of the Bible that support slavery disgust me. I genuinely think that the Jesus we read about in the New Testament would not tolerate treating people differently based on race and if he did, he would not be worthy of worship.

[@KBcollision]

@@kellyriddell5014 It is a nice thought, and I do not believe that most practitioners of Christianity support slavery, but Jesus of the Bible said he came to fulfill the old testament, not tweak it

[@bluetextbooks]

3/5's of you are human. 2/5's of you are here to work 90% of the time.

[@gwammeh]

"You let one of them go but that’s nothing new. Every now and then a little victim’s spared, because she smiled, ’cause he’s got freckles. ‘Cause they begged. And that’s how you live with yourself. That’s how you slaughter millions. Because once in awhile-on a whim, if the wind’s in the right direction-you happen to be kind." --Ninth Doctor, Doctor Who

[@marieprestegard2495]

What episode was that?

[@artisticsquid]

@@marieprestegard2495 Boom Town I believe

[@marieprestegard2495]

@@artisticsquid I might have to re watch it.

[@beth3785]

Was this about the slitheen?

[@amandaoroberts]

@@beth3785 yes

[@alexsandoval8703]

Let's not forget Christmas "breaks" also served to enforce Christianity on the enslaved.

[@livewellwitheds6885]

yes!

[@msv2u107]

Yes! I never understood how you could treat someone like garbage, and still consider yourself a good christian. Did you know that enslaved people were given an abbreviated version of the bible. It only contained the parts that told them to submit to their masters. It's horseshit on a level I cannot fathom. A lot of White christians still feel hatred for Black people. Even though, the Jesus they worship was Black.

[@AyanAli-py7ci]

Jesus was a brown man who didn't endorse this

[@SewardWriter]

"You worked your soul away for a year without reward. Here's some candy!" Gevalt.

[@pecantan292]

@SewardWriter 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@JordanLittlejohn-jl4lj]

Here's some candy, but can't go tp the dentist.

[@alexmcp5153]

I like that you dispute the narrative of house servants having an "easier life" compared to field workers. I remember reading about the misconception in _Women, Race, and Class_ & it's good seeing it challenged

[@daniellephillips4843]

They were also more likely prone to being “R” by the “master” and his friends and punished after out of jealousy by the “mistress”

[@snuassauns]

They were more isolated from their friends. I can imagine that they were looked at differently by their fellow enslaved people.

[@datdamncj]

They absolutely had a better quality of life... On average

[@valerieedwards923]

@@datdamncj I’m sure that’s most likely true but since I’m sure no one wants to get into a Slavery Olympics for who had it worst…surely we can agree there was not much quality to ANY enslaved persons life during chattel slavery.

[@datdamncj]

@@valerieedwards923 you can only speak for yourself when you speak of what topics OTHER people do and don't want to get into.. have you ever been on KZbin before? I do know that some people are afraid of what they don't know or UNDERSTAND but education is key and I do thank you for sharing your opinion with me but i dont know what a slavery Olympic is it sounds like something white people sit around the DR table and talk about.

[@megansampson5445]

I love that youtube recommended to me your channel. I am Canadian during my schooling I focused on Canadian slavery and the underground railway. Slavery existed in Canada (which many people don't seem to think that it did) but it did and it was a different history. There is a tendency for people to consider slavery in Canada was mild for some reason in comparison to America... but it was just as horrific and violent. It was also sort of intertwined with "indentured servitude" which was basically slavery where a contract bound an individual to unpaid labor for a set amount of years and it was exploitative, cruel and oftentimes indentured servants was a life time contract...because their debts kept piling on to their contract.

[@blackberry4life482]

Yes you are correct but most black people know about slavery across the diaspora which includes Canada. Slavery on any level was and is vile.

[@voidremoved]

yea. Canada is actually a very bad, evil place. Made worse by the fact that somehow Canada has managed to convince the world it is "nice". I grew up in Canada and I travelled outside of Canada... Canadians are the LEAST nicest people I have dealt with. Sure, then seem nice, but it is like a candy coating on garbage. Shout out to all the German, Irish and Chinese slaves in america. Lest we forget... It is disturbing, but also a relief that recently those 215 child remains discovered in Canada recently. Slavery in the americas is NOTHING compared to what was done and is still being done to the First Nations. Sickening and disgusting. And we are plagued now with selfish, ignorant generation of adulterers and degenerates who thinks the world owes them.

[@megansampson5445]

@@voidremoved I'm sorry to hear your experience with Canada. Globally I agree, Canada it outwardly portrayed as the ""nice guy"" part of North America because there's this constant comparison between Canada and America. So when I travel outside of Canada, some of my American friends will pretend to be Canadian in other foreign countries because apparently Canada is full of nice people... which I think in large part most people here are nice. The other large form of slavery in Canada was Japanese slavery. We had concentration camps during WW2. Japanese Canadian families were removed from their homes and forced into labor camps because Canada was at war with Japan. Germans and anyone accused of communism were placed in these camps. After the war these families were not given back their homes or land, they had to start over and racism still continued for many years after for all the axis countries. The Chinese were used to build the rail roads here, I don't think they were paid and if they were it was barely anything. Then of course one of the other darkest parts of Canadian history is the residential schools and segregated hospitals for First Nations people. The church from Europe would come to Canada to convert and save the natives from their ""savagery."" They needed to gain more converts because the churches and monarchies of europe were constantly in flux with catholic rulers vs protestant rulers. Recently in the news 215 children were unearthed in a mass grave in Kamloops BC residential school :*( some children were as old as 3 years old and they will find more bodies because there are so many residential schools. The residential school system forced children away from their homes, prohibited the use of their native languages and so many languages were lost. Just a very very sad part of history and it is so crucial to continue to talk about this past so that the atrocities never happen again :*(

[@CharCanuck14]

@@megansampson5445 Don't forget about when it comes to the railroad about 4 Chinese died for every mile built between Calgary and Vancouver due to explosions, landslides and accidents. They were always given the most dangerous jobs.

[@82566]

We're their alot of indentured servants from India ?

[@amandastout1948]

It doesn't matter whether a slave was treated well or poorly. What mattered was that slaves were not treated as human.

[@livewellwitheds6885]

yes because slave is the key word. totally aggree! treat a slave "nice" but it is still slavery...

[@Olivia-cz8ez]

why is it almost weirder that they would acknowledge the humanity of enslaved people on Christmas, a Christian holiday, but not every other day versus treating every day the same ? I feel like slavery was somewhat justified in my classes growing up by saying that morally, we were just different then.. but this proves that these slave owners knew their slaves were people (not livestock) and knew which things mattered to them in order to treat them even one day or a couple holidays a year.

[@cam4636]

I'd say being "nice" on the holidays was probably used _as_ a justification--"We treat our slaves well! Some plantations don't even let their enslaved population have a single day off! We give candy to the children! Sometimes we even let our slaves have money! Yes, sometimes we have to torture someone, but we also give back!" It's just a long string of "You see? It's not that bad!" It'd be a pressure release valve for the enslaved people to keep them from rising up and fighting back, but it'd also be a way to assuage guilt for any of the slavers who might start thinking they're doing something _bad_ by keeping people hostage and forcing them to work.

[@ladybluelotus]

Make absolutely no mistake about it. They knew exactly what they were doing, and they created numerous institutions, laws and books to excuse their behavior. People were not morally different back then, and their was enormous push-back against the institution of slavery.

[@AT-vp8qw]

Some christian slave owners were skeptical about keeping slaves cause they were worried that it was against the bible, but justified it by saying blacks were lazy and that enslaving them would help them reach salvation or some stupid shit like that. They knew what they were doing was wrong. Their selfish little hearts dissolved that guilt tho

[@themaggattack]

@@AT-vp8qw Against the bible? Have you read the bible?The bible was pro-slavery. Enslavers used the bible to justify enslaving people. They also used church as a way to "let off the valve" to keep the slaves from revolting. Church was the one place slaves could go any time of year, at least on Sundays, to get a slight break from slaving. They could feel hopeful, rejoice in music, and congregate. Even though they were HIGHLY policed and monitored at church so they wouldn't escape, especially in the earlier years. At the same time church provided a brief respite, church was just another means of control and manipulation. Church was forcing Africans to let go of their own familial and cultural beleifs and accept Christianity, thereby systematically controlling and brainwashing them. Control and brainwash is a specialty of religion, and Christianity is world class at it. In fairness, you are correct that there were a few white people, like Abolitionists and Quakers, who actually did use the bible for the powers of good and not to condone slavery. But the vast majority did just the opposite.

[@Aperson_888yearsago]

We need more people to think like you.

[@mjc42701]

Our real history with Native Americans and Slaves needs to be told, it has been burred and treated as insignificant, it is so important to teach children the tremendous impact this had on a group of people and our country, to discuss these issues, so we can make change for a better future together.

[@masonhunter855]

I'm confused by what you mean.. some Cherokee and creek would own slaves...but it was not widespread. Many sided with the confederation in the war because the Confederacy vowed to not expand westward and acknowledge their claims of land. The natvies didn't trust the government for obvious reasons..so thought rebellion was the best option. Only the natives that adopted the whitemans lifestyle and culture would practice slavery.. I guarantee tribal people at the time living in the ways of old would not have slaves.. as many slaves would escape to Seminole land where they would be welcomed with open arms and treated as equal in the tribe. The only natives that had slaves abandoned their culture and lifestyle for monetary gain.. that's facts. You can't find house slaves in Pueblo or teepee anywhere in the U.S.. because the idea of economics and money was foreign something most natives raised by their culture did not care to be involved in.. only weak men that wanted power and those stripped of their culture would have slaves.

[@decemberkat]

@@masonhunter855 there was 500 years of natives being sold as slaves by the Spanish “The other slavery” is a recommendation to read..natives were shipped out to the Caribbean island. Absolutely you are correct though ONLY the 5 so called civilized tribes had slaves and they were mimicking the colonizers and they needed to get it together,and still do! The US had already turned it’s back on Chickasaw warriors-while the confederates promised them a part in the confederate government. These tribes all fought each other as well. It’s all complex and whack… genocide is gross.

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

Native Americans were slaveholders.

[@mjc42701]

@@sayitloudblcknproud How many? a few, and who set the example and accepted it in U.S. society? The government tried to change the Native Americans to wear their clothes, adopt their religion and culture, were you not aware of that? Answer those questions and get back to me.

[@mjc42701]

@@masonhunter855 Didn't see this post until now, so I'm not sure where your confusion lies, so what exactly are you confused about? I think you projected something into what I posted that is not there, did I say no one but white Europeans owned slaves? that is not the point but my point is that everything has a ripple effect, not all Europeans were bad but brought many oppressive and exploitative ways with them, things that had a negative effect, if we want to learn and grow as a society then these things do need to be discussed, I'm sure the majority if not all who post on YT are not in the high financial minority, meaning not part of the 1%, I would hope that we would not want to be part of a dystopian government which is where we have been headed for the past 50 years, "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." and"The truth shall set you free." I mean the whole truth, no what about or any form of ism's, by saying there were a few Native Americans who owned slaves it does not make it right in any way but that is the intent of the argument but it won't work on me and anyone with good sense, nor will it change the past, only knowing and learning from it will.

[@christineb3669]

This was very interesting. I’d never heard anyone talk about what Christmas was like for the enslaved. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I’ve subscribed and look forward to more videos from you.

[@loveontopp]

Great job. Now I must spend the rest of my day listening to recordings from the Library of Congress.

[@jayveeaurea9091]

Slavery should’ve never been a thing in the first place smh The sin and crime of slavery is inhumanly cruel.

[@danamichelle1290]

It still exists, it's more common now than ever. The only thing that changed is shackles and public slave trading.

[@WanderlustHomebody]

​@@danamichelle1290 ​ Chattel slavery no longer exists, and it was much more than just shackles and public slave trading. Chattel slavery was unique (thanks USA) and a different beast than any form of slavery in the history of ever. I hate when people deflect with "well slavery still exist" or with other whataboutisms and comparisons. This channel is talking about ONE thing. If you want to talk about the various other forms of slavery in our society today then do that on YOUR channel.

[@nancycollins9783]

Watching this for the first time in 2020. Your final point about "releasing the pressure" or "boom" seems prophetic today. Thank you for sharing your work and wisdom with us. Bless you.

[@KC-ve8qz]

Thank you! I homeschool my kids and from a sheltered upbringing I appreciate all of your content. I share a birthday with Mother Tubman. She has always had my heart. I teach my girls to always stand up and hold space! Love and light✨ Again, thank you!

[@_ZeroQueen_]

I love your videos so much. Thank you for starting this discussion. I imagine it had to be a bitter experience to observe the family of the owner celebrating Christmas and enjoying the festivities while not being able to enjoy those same things and needing a pass to make familial and social visits.

[@TropicanaThunda]

It’s gross that those owners thought that was ok as long as they gave them basic human needs. 💔😩 actually gross is an understatement

[@dr.100purrscent5]

Their basic human needs were rarely met. The needs of the poor are not met even today. Amenities were dependant on the encampment site (plantation site) and the mood of the enslaver. There were no guarantees of comfort for an enslaved person. There may have been moments such as described in the video, but it wasn't a guarantee of rest or enjoyment. I'm glad you think it's is gross to treat humans like chattel, it is gross. It's is the grossest betrayal one human can afflict another human with, enslavement.

[@filthyapostate4217]

It's vile. Truly vile.

[@snuassauns]

It's all gross.

[@beverlywaits7663]

@@dr.100purrscent5 Yess 😟😲🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@LegionariiSSturm]

ur gross . lose weight miss piggy

[@amandareynolds3108]

Just caught your podcast interview with American Duchess and it was awesome; the knowledge, passion and respect toward enslaved persons through re-enactment was illuminating. Um and how do you not have a million followers by now?

[@lisabartolo2644]

No such thing as American Dutchess, you are not part of the commonwealth, just as you don’t have Arabian kings, or Egyptian pharaohs. You have 2 immigrants that are cashing you in to grow their own wealth…think about it…there you go

[@sweetsandcharades8383]

@@lisabartolo2644 American Duchess is the name of a KZbin channel…

[@RozWBrazel]

@@sweetsandcharades8383 imagine all the things they could have said, instead of choosing clownery 🤡🤡

[@user-oy4vu3ck3u]

I think the Romans did this with slaves too. Can't remember the name of the festival but slaves swapped places with their enslavers for the day once a year. Might have been Saturnalia?

[@TimmsMJ]

The British gentry did this too, not with slaves, because they didn't have slaves, but their household staff were very low down in the social order. BUT at Christmas was special for all.

[@user-oy4vu3ck3u]

@@TimmsMJ Ah yeah that makes sense, except they did pay their servants a wage. On my dad's side I have an ancestor who was a maid in Buckingham palace so that's fun to know. And I've heard of maids of all work- that sounds awful

[@libertylovingbeckles6797]

@@TimmsMJ umm Hun the British has poc slaves too. Where did you hear that? But it's also important to note white europeans were being kidnapped and sold into slavery as well

[@theboujieproletariat]

@@TimmsMJ the British upper class DID have slaves. It was outlawed a long time earlier in the UK than USA, but it happened for a longer period of time.

[@theboujieproletariat]

@@user-oy4vu3ck3u they were not paid a wage, it just became illegal not to pay people a little earlier in the UK than USA.

[@cwalker.ivy444]

Thank you for the facts. I find your commentary on the reward/punishment system particularly enlightening. I was wondering why we were discussing the "nice things" enslavers would do, but you answered my question.

[@khazermashkes2316]

Thank you for mentioning the WPA interviews! I didn't realize that they were available online.

[@azeclecticdog]

Very interesting look at the Holidays on the plantation. Thanks for putting it together so well.

[@coloradorocky1298]

Very eye opening, indeed👌 Slavery has not ended, but is more prevalent today, than it ever was in the past. Instead of being prejudicially biased towards one race, it is now extended to all races based on lower social & economical status. 8/10 of the world.

[@bcaye]

I'm baffled why people have an issue talking about slavery. I never enslaved anyone and it's part of history. I have always wanted to know the past and how all people of all walks of life lived. Your channel is very informative, your research is very good.

[@cindyrissal3628]

Agreed! I always worry about the language used bc I don't wish to offend anyone...but I never enslaved anyone. I don't think my family did...we all came over in the last half of the 1800s... I think that talking about what really happened helps people realize how awful it was...

[@motherofbeagles8532]

When we toured The Hermitage in Tennessee, we asked questions about slavery. Our guide said Southerners rarely ask questions about it, but people from the west and north do.

[@maryannharold8538]

Yeah ya'll are still benefiting from slavery do some research.

[@bcaye]

@@maryannharold8538, the stupidest comment I've seen in awhile. Change my mind.

[@maryannharold8538]

@@bcaye yeah for people like you of course it's stupid. 🙄🤣 Got so much privilege you don't know the struggle.

[@JuliyaTeletzke]

I'm not African American but my uncle and cousins that are like my brothers are and my ex step mom was. I'm half white half native american but it just makes me feel sick when I think of what my family's ancestry went through and how my family would be crazy taboo and probably shunned in those days cuz of how many amazing cultural backgrounds I have in my family. I'm grateful I can love my family without restriction. I can't Imagine my childhood without them.

[@summerchambers4612]

White Nd native American that's a strange combo how do you know that

[@peterg1664]

@Summer Chambers Most native Americans are mixed with white sometimes to the point where the ancestry is more than 50%, only in the southwest will you find many pure native Americans

[@boyinblue.]

I wish I had education like what you provide when I was in school, I love history and I like learning about the people who work for the elite. The clothes the work the hardships, I’m so tired of schools putting up an inaccurate slavery movie or just glossing over a part of our history that is so important to cover.

[@livewellwitheds6885]

I feel like that but also about disability history and lgbt history. it has been lost and forgotten a lot

[@boyinblue.]

@@livewellwitheds6885 That’s a good point, along with woman’s history. It just sucks because I’ve found so many things education wise that are free to view and extremely accessible to teachers.

[@robertaylor9218]

This answers the question from Django Unchained, when Leo’s character asked “why don’t they kill us?” Because there was a careful release of pressure to avoid the boiler breaking open. Thank you.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

I appreciate your method of researching and honest presentation. I admire that you mentioned that the examples you detailed were from a specific time & sort of place. Also, that you mentioned how very different conditions were for other enslaved persons, and that life in the reat of the year was not like life at Christmas.

[@meamoonstone]

Never realized how much I loved topics like this until I stumbled across your page. Thanks for sparking a new fire in me ❤️ subbed

[@KBcollision]

Had no idea we could read interviews from the library of congress. Thank you for sharing this resource

[@nancywear9789]

Thank you so much. I loved that you mentioned your primary sources. I am going to have to check that out.

[@juniperbarber2245]

I work as a living historian/historical interpreter for a park in Huntsville, Alabama, and I've got to say that I absolutely love your work! One of the things that we try to do at the park is discuss the reality of slavery in a clear and honest way, and your videos are the cornerstone for my research. With every video you produce, I learn more and more that I can share with the patrons who visit the park. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! You're amazing!

[@tamoramuir2089]

Thanks for this commentary. I think those of us educated anywhere but the South hear nothing but horror about slavery--we don't hear about the reward/punishment system. How very coercive! Mental and emotional chains meant to prevent people from seeking freedom, yet often without the torture and death that we hear about so frequently, that might impair someone's ability to work at full strength. Or that Christmas was celebrated by many enslaved people. On the other hand, those educated in the Deep South might only hear about those holidays and celebrations, as if those were were enslaved were content with their situation. I once saw an excerpt from a Southern history textbook approved by the Daughters of the Confederacy talking about enslaved people dancing and singing after their workday was done. A friend of mine who grew up on the Florida/Georgia border who did not realize until college that the War of Northern Aggression was the same thing as the Civil War, but from a Southern perspective. Could you do a video on the differences in perspective on slavery, the Civil War, and the Jim Crow era from the North and South? From Black and White? I mean, what we're taught in school, and "common knowledge".

[@dragonfliesnh4204]

Thank you so much for sharing this and I'm so glad I found your channel tonight. I have watched a few videos which are done very well and will watch move. Many parts of history is horrific and we should NOT be sweeping this under the rug and trying to change history to make ourselves look better. It is should make us uncomfortable as it was a bad time for enslaved people. This is to help understand where people are coming from, where they have been and how they got here. Things are better but we have a long way to go. We need to do better! I live in a very white area and people don't realize that racism still occurs as often as it does. While I haven't witnessed it myself, I'm not ignorant to say that it doesn't happen these days or that it doesn't happen that much, like some of my family members have said, which I have spoken up about.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

Not really. A lot of folks had uncomfortable lives back then, not just slaves.

[@laurenleslie1080]

I was recommended a video of yours yesterday, and have watched at least 5 videos since. I have learned so much, and really value the quality of your videos.

[@BlitzsieLDiscoLSnow]

Thank you for making content like this! I live in the Netherlands, so during history lessons we never went into much detail of the lives of slaves on your side of the ocean.

[@cindabearr]

Sadly, our history lessons here don't usually go into such detail either. If you want to know about slavery and the lives of slaves, you have to look into it for yourself. I can remember slavery being taught as almost equal to indentured servitude, but glossed over on the whole. Instead were were taught about the industrial innovations of the time, and the farming practices, but not about the lives of the people who did the actual farming. It's a disgrace, honestly.

[@BlitzsieLDiscoLSnow]

@@cindabearr That's very sad to hear. Let's hope this current movement is strong enough to make a lasting impact.

[@cindabearr]

@@BlitzsieLDiscoLSnow YES!!

[@ayldfh1823]

We usually don’t talk about U.S slavery too here in American school. I’m glad there’s a way to look at this online.

[@newhorizonsforfifty2833]

Just so many details to consider, when thinking about the day to day lives of enslaved persons. I'm glad for this resource.

[@Spiroffd]

Thank you for creating this video. It’s thoughtful and I’m very glad that primary resources were referenced. I want to be part of a real conversation about a more balanced perspective of history, how it’s taught, portrayed and affects our lives today.

[@sylviebrunelle5010]

I gotta say it is refreshing to hear about a very sensitive subject like slavery in an intelligent, researched and no nonsense manner. You are such a beautifull speaker and your discourse is higher level to what people are used to dish out. Koodos to you.

[@littlelizzyann]

I love your channel so much. Your ability to see nuance without excusing awful people or systems is so good.

[@carriee.9712]

This side of history needs to be told. 🙏💜✨🕯📖

[@donnanail9597]

You have such a wonderful way of teaching. I love your voice and narrative. Enlightenment with positivity ensures more will learn of history and take to heart its meaning. Well done and now I must head off to the library. ♥️

[@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx8234]

I am from WV and we were not taught that much about slavery is school, so it is nice to see your videos and educate myself.

[@quintxavier]

The similarities to corporate America are bone chilling.

[@witchofstonycreek4550]

You are brilliant and your historical translations teach me so much that was neglected in school classes. This is the real history that I want to learn. Thank you so much.

[@cindabearr]

Thank you for your voice. I've watched a few of your videos and have subscribed. I want to be the best ally I can be, so I need to learn as much as I can. Thank you for helping in my education.

[@Olivia-cz8ez]

Thank you for doing the work you do, Cheyney!!!

[@nixhixx]

I love to learn, even when it's a difficult subject. Thank you.

[@gwenb4531]

I love your educational, historical videos. I am new to watching them, and I have learned a great deal about what it was really like being enslaved.

[@Ddouglas0302]

I love listening to u! You are very engaging to the camera and I feel that we are just sitting in my living room and visiting! Thank you!

[@ZGraphikerin]

Your content is always top notch. So fortunate to have found such a wonderful resource. It's been very eye opening to reconsider the ways that the enslaved people behind the white washed history of slavery would have actually experienced life. Thank you for giving a piece of yourself to create a space for stories like this to exist. American history oddly romanticizes slavery and glosses over the brutality and inherently abusive nature of the whole system. Your perspective is important. Thank you for giving voices to the people that time has chosen to forget.

[@arnjeca]

More on reward and punishment relationship? I’m very curious in understanding the whole mental/emotional/physical dynamics, sad tho they may be, and appreciate your candidacy. Lovely channel, thank you for making these!

[@caroleastmond9064]

Very good, I remember reading some of those WPA interviews in college, but this is very good, especially for the young people to hear, thanks!!!💝🎉

[@erinwojcik4771]

I find your videos enlightening. Early American history was taught very differently in Wisconsin focusing more on the French, English, and Native trapping and trade. The Civil War period lessons were comprised of somewhat boastful pride in the "Iron Brigade" and not much else. Then, there was a skip ahead to WWI & WWII, where we talked about advances in military tech and things got real personal real fast for the Polish immigrant majority in my hometown. Slavery in America was always a back burner subject because so many people I know are third to fifth generation in this country and came.from a world in which our ethnic groups were essentially slaves, but even so that looked very different than what African peoples experienced. Thus, I thank you for your work as a reenactor and in sharing these videos. It helps fill the blanks in what I learned growing up.

[@CesarLopez-rs1vg]

This might explain why Christmas and holidays are so important to large black families

[@ceciliaelias5119]

This is so well done and I am really interested and excited to hear what it was for enslaved people. I am endlessly inspired by the strength and courage of our black sisters and brothers who managed to love their children even if they came from an unwelcome advance by the owner or his sons. You are so beautiful and smart and know your history and I thank you for your wonderful work. It is a complete privilege to be taught by you and for that I thank you.

[@lyrablack8621]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I never even thought about this

[@erinmarie8985]

thank you for all your hard work on these, I love learning about your history and its so important to ensure we all know the real history behind slavery.

[@leas7830]

I am very happy KZbin recommend this channel. I am from Finland 🇫🇮. We don't have a slave history but we do learn slavery at school. Anyhow, it is quite superficial like numbers, when and how many were transported etc. It is interesting to learn about the every day life.

[@leanneneville2431]

I’m from Australia and am a history buff. I found your video very informative, well spoken and put together. You have a lovely manner, well done.👏😁🇦🇺

[@donnadequire-rios3531]

U r my teacher and for that iam thankful. May God bless you

[@soraslayer7035]

I love learning about history but can't understand the hypocrisy of my ancestors living during that time. Oh we'll give you gifts and feel good about ourselves during the holidays, but we don't view you as people?! It's...there are no words. Thank you Cheyney, for the hard work you do to educate us on this topic. You are amazing.

[@kellyriddell5014]

Thank you for teaching us this stuff! I especially found the part at the end about the reward/punishment system interesting because I haven't heard much about it before. You hear a lot about how punishments were used as a form of control, but rarely do you hear about how rewards were used to manipulate and control people into complying. It makes a lot of sense because we see abusers use carrots and sticks in a lot of contexts, even today.

[@bahiras]

Excellent episode as usual especially the psychological aspect of reward and punishment. Thank-you!

[@justhereforthevideos2798]

I know this is a new video. But this is my new favourite channel!

[@TimmsMJ]

Thank you for so much interesting information and for the links provided. Education is all, and it can't all be given at school.

[@heatherframpton9693]

Thank you for this continued historical information. ❤️

[@varrickmoon4246]

I am so glad I found this channel and am able to better educate myself

[@honey_seafoam3536]

Thank you for teaching us.

[@naomibee8881]

I’m white from the Pacific Northwest and I’m learning. It seems to me that the fact the “owners” gave gifts 🎁 to their slaves tells me that they KNEW slavery was wrong. It reminds me of something James Baldwin said about how the acts of slavery by “Christians” creates such conflict in white people as to cause mental illness. Just totally 💯 understandable when I watch this video. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@foreveryoungagain]

I'm loving this information...we all agree and understand the horrors of Slavery...number one would be enslavement...but to understand the intricacies of slavery is history to assure this never happens again in our country. It also serves as motivation to join the fight in parts of the globe it still happens. My family was also enslaved in this country...not being African but Italian, Irish and (most notable in the current American climate) Native American. Yes, my ancestors were also bought and sold in this country...so our shared history is fascinating!!! We, fortunately, never experienced these horrors. Thank you for sharing.

[@sherrancehenderson5915]

I am so proud of you!!!! Excellent show idea. Far too many people can't appericate your info..but I do!

[@susanruark3443]

I absolutely love you. You tell it like it is and how it was!!

[@evershade.after.dark.]

Wow. I thought that small kindnesses from some slave owners (such as candy, games, passes to visit relatives, etc.) was a romanticized version of events. I didn't realize small kindnesses did actually occur. Thank you for sharing and educating!

[@tyleet99]

Obviously brief, but informative and factual. I think this was a good video!

[@rrjohn5]

You are a fabulous historian and I appreciate your channel.

[@jazzy_vibe_different]

Just found this page and I'm so excited lol you're beautiful smart and I love the headwraps....keep these video coming !!!!

[@cliftonsavoy3630]

Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge damn we are a destroyed people proverbs9:31 envy not the oppressor and choose none of his ways... My chunky sister read your bible and see who you are in the book GOD, said we would go into captivity on slave ships by our enemies!!! Deuteronomy 28:68 Isaiah 1:3 the ox knoweth his owner, and the ass it's masters crib but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.. We went into slavery for breaking his commandments, these wicked helidays were beat into us to keep they gave our four fathers and mothers away as Christmas presents DAMN!! Do your research while your at it you and your followers need to read Jeremiah 10:1-4 very slow and you will see what he's telling us his chosen people not to do

[@jazzy_vibe_different]

@@cliftonsavoy3630 what is wrong with you? Why are you name calling?

[@jazzy_vibe_different]

@@cliftonsavoy3630 and than you had the nerve to come on my post and write this message ......why???

[@cliftonsavoy3630]

Didn't mean to offend by saying my chunky sister I'm a chunky brother i should have used a better choice of words i apologise John 7:24 says judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement. your comment was the first post and i guess i got a little heated when i saw people glorifying the traditions of our slave holders and still keeping these wicked celebrations, and not celebrating GOD'S high holy days, and the righteous judgement is Deuteronomy 6:25 sis i won't send anymore but he asked us to keep his laws and commandments to get the kingdom if you can just read the scriptures i sent you

[@jazzy_vibe_different]

@@cliftonsavoy3630 Its very odd to me that you dont want her to "glorify slavery" but yet you quote the same bible wrote by a white man and you seem to have the same religion force on are ancestors....

[@missmedjool]

Omg I love this outfit, the colours look so good on you and I love the texture of the necktie!!

[@nsaroma]

I love all the facts you added with resources......thanks a bunch

[@yaodiniii790]

You are doing a great work. Thanks for this info. It's a paradigm changer. Love from Ghana

[@doloresw]

Thank you for sharing this very interesting

[@Lisa-pb3qp]

A wonderful connotation. Let us not not forget the emotion and candor. God brought me here for a reason. Before you judge me, you know nothing about me. 🌸

[@ms.e3870]

I love these videos! Thank you!

[@sammj5638]

Thank you so much.

[@thizizliz]

Thank you. It is important that we learn about the past in order not to repeat it, ESPECIALLY nowadays.

[@kimberlykimberly8808]

Wonderful, Sis!!!

[@LBVED]

This was very informative, thank you for taking the time to make the video.

[@robinanderson1910]

Your depiction of slavery is excellent. Thank you for bringing an important narrative to life It strengthens my admiration even more on how enslaved

[@robinanderson1910]

people of color survived.

[@Ellzy1]

Thank you for providing the link, I got lost on the site. Thank you for this video 🌸💕🌸

[@CIST3]

Your content is excellent. I appreciate the sources for further study.

[@croyland7605]

This was so informative, and thank you for including the Library of Congress link. Side note: your outfit in this video is so perfect.

[@sheshe0681]

I love your videos. Keep educating us.

[@janetslater129]

Fascinating. Thank you for sharing.

[@mdiddio]

I was a re-enacter at a PA farm for years. One re-curring theme we discussed over Christmas holiday events is that enslavers were more alert for runaways, as you stated. As New Year's Day often marked slave sales, enslaved people would be more likely to do so. It was recorded twice at the farm I reenacted at. We made a point to state this to tour groups, that the enslavers were not doing those they enslaved any favor in truth by giving them presents or 'free time'. We'd read a diary entry where one actually stated that regardless of their 'kind overtures', their 'servant' caught wind of that they were going to be sold and ran away. The entry made it sound as if the runaway was somehow ungrateful.

[@Meme-qt8hv]

Thank you for sharing. I didn't know that you could visit the Library of Congress online. I will look into WAP Archives. Thank you again.

[@cclayton1316]

Glad for this video. I was trying to read through some of James W. Baker's book on the history of the Thanksgiving tradition, and he mentions how "antebellum" Christmas "relieved Thanksgiving of its role" etc... I wondered what "antebellum revival of Christmas" meant and thought I bet Cheney of Not Your Mommas History would know!

[@Air0Sparks]

Cute neck tie! Did you knit it? The reward system seems current with America today. Thank you for your effort!

[@user-px5lm9gl2n]

Is there a video about slaves and the new year? That's a tough pill to swallow. From what I read in a memoir, slaves would be separated from their families and traded among the other plantations.

[@dianemccloud5990]

I struggle sooooo hard even trying to in-vision how any human being thought this was ok....and they way things were meant to be....your skin is dark, so this is what you were meant to endure, mine is lillie white and this is who I am meant to be....the insanity of it....just irks me to all the high ends of the earth....