The Role of an Individual Opposed to Slavery
George Fitzhugh argued that ‘the negro is but a grown up child” who requires the economic and social protections of slavery (Boundless 1). He contended that blacks would only be economically secure and morally civilized through slavery. Fitzhugh’s statements are however against the humanity rights and Christian principals. The ideals upon which our nations had been established deem all human beings as equal. During its foundation, men were declared equal in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, the Fitzhugh’s statements are baseless as they fail to uphold the value of patriotism. This is heightened further when we focus on the history of the nation where most of the natives immigrated to the country.
Just like other human beings, slaves are created according to the image of God and hence deserve respect. This is according to the Genesis 1:27 that states that man was created in the image of God (Stowe 1). Indeed, if we are all like God, created in the same image, then the Blacks do not need to be treated as lesser humans. Furthermore, our nation was established based on Christian doctrines. It is therefore demeaning for other people to perceive the blacks as less civilized.
Fitzhugh fails to recognize the value of the slaves by affirming that they need economic protection. According to his statements, the only incentive of the slaves is to fear his master (Abolition 1). This is another form of dehumanization since the slaveholders were given unlimited powers over their fellow human beings. Fitzhugh ought to have realized that his views were fanatical since it was morally wrong. Just because the slaves were denied their rights does not imply they are less human but implies that they had been denied their natural rights of all people for equality.
References
Abolition. Arguments and Justifications. 2009. Retrieved 07 Feb. 2017 from
http://abolition.e2bn.org/slavery_112.html
Boundless. “Slavery and the Abolitionist Movement.” Boundless Political Science Boundless, 20 Sep. 2016. Retrieved 07 Feb. 2017 from https://www.boundless.com/political-science/textbooks/boundless-political-science-textbook/civil-rights-5/slavery-and-civil-rights-39/slavery-and-the-abolitionist-movement-220-8704/
Stowe, B. Harriet. “Five Arguments Against Slavery.” Inkwell. 2009. Retrieved 07 Feb. 2017
from http://inkwellmusings.blogspot.co.ke/2009/11/five-arguments-against-slavery.html