A Racist Society

Just Slaves

Benjamin

I walked out onto the plantation. The cotton was being picked by about fifty slaves. I simply smiled. Dad would be proud to know that they were doing their jobs. It's still really hot out here. I'd say it was at least 100°. How did they do that? Work work and work in this hot, hot sun? Labor until the overseer is satisfied? I never understood why my father would even dare buy these people. Women, separated from their children. Men, separated from their families. And most of all, these people, separated from their homeland. Just to come here to be enslaved by us. But, there's nothing I can do to help them; especially not when my entire family is counting on me to keep the plantation going. Today, my father plans to add another slave to the plantation. He wants me to accompany him this time. All other times, I made up excuses as to why I couldn't go. My father fell for my tricks every time. I forgot I was outside, standing in the direct blazing hotness of the sun. I was definitely going to get sunburned. I looked at my bare wrms , noticing a red tint coming on. I walked into the house, sitting at the dining table. I waited for a slave to come up to me to give me a drink of lemonade. I slowly sipped on the ice cold drink, feeling the tangy, bitter sweet liquid trickle down my throat. I was done by my next breath.

"Ahh" I exhaled.

The slave woman, looking to be in her twenties, walked up to pour me some more lemonade. I waved her off and shook my head, no. She backed up and stood in her position that she was in before I was done. I got up and she took my glass, ready to wash it.

"Do you have to pee? Don't you want a break?" I asked the poor woman. She'd been standing there for however long before I got there.

"No massa." She said.

I was about to guide her to the chair until I heard heavy boots hitting the wooden floor boards. I knew, I instantly, that the slave denied half because my father was near. I'd say he had no heart, if I hadn't known him all my life, the way he treats these people.

"Hey son! You ready to get er done?" He asked, patting my shoulder.

I only nodded, glancing back at the slave who looked beyond scared.

I started to walk to the horse, ready to ride. The horse was already sweating, so I called over a slave.

"Hey there miss. Could you give my horse an apple and water?"

"Yes massa." The young girl said. She looked to be around 6. She came back quickly, letting the horse drink and eat.

"Thank you." I said to her. She simply nodded an bowed, backing away.

I looked behind me, see in my father with a disappointed look on his sweaty face.

"Son...no need to say thank you. They have no option but to obey." He said walking over to the scared young girl.

He pulled her chin up to get a better view. She had the clearest chocolate skin I've ever seen. It complimented her bone structure nicely.

"Ain't that right lil girl?" He said to the girl.

"Yes massa." She replied. She was so scared of my father.

He harshly let go of her shin, but she recovered quickly, bowing her head once more.

"See son? Her, him, all these ni--ers. They're all just slaves."

With that, we rode off to the auction.