07/27/2025
Beyond Bo***ge: The Skills, Dignity, & Defiance of Enslaved Ancestors (1891)
Look at this powerful image from 1891: a formerly enslaved man from coastal Georgia, expertly making a fishing net. His hands, his skill, tell a story that goes far beyond the chains. 🔥
As Carey Davenport, whose father was a carpenter, profoundly stated: "My father was a carpenter and old massa let him have lumber and he made he own furniture out of dressed lumber... He was a very valuable man."
This is crucial history. Enslaved people were not just labor; they possessed incredible skills and talents—as blacksmiths, carpenters, coopers, shoemakers, spinners, weavers, cooks, quilters, healers, musicians, storytellers. These abilities made plantations economically self-sufficient, saving enslavers immense expense.
More importantly, these skills fostered a spirit of self-reliance and a measure of autonomy within the enslaved community. They found moments of happiness, telling humorous tales about work or singing satirical songs that subtly defied their owners.
Through their artistry and competence, enslaved people saw themselves as strong, valuable people unjustly held against their will, not as the dependent figures their enslavers tried to portray. They used their talents to deflect the daily assaults of bo***ge and maintain their dignity.
This image reminds us of the profound gifts, resilience, and humanity that persisted even in the darkest times. We stand on the shoulders of their genius.
What does this testament to the skills and self-reliance of our ancestors mean to you? Share in the comments.
