Since When Did We Breed Slaves?

By: Gyovanni Boston-Crompton    

I have always known about the harsh treatment of slaves which was taught through most of my history classes over the years. Even through all the stories of these slaves being beaten and the women being raped by slave masters, it honestly shocked me when I heard that they had breeding programs for the slaves. I do understand that many of the slaves did not want to produce offspring but the way slave owners made these programs as if these human beings were some type of animals. Now that I think of it many people tend to think that many African-Americans are well at certain things, such as sports, due to them being bred that way during slavery. In order to understand these stereotypes you need to understand the history first.

Slave breeding is a practice from slaveholders who tried to influence the reproduction of slaves for their own self-profit and gain. It involved forced sexual affairs between male and female slaves, as well as with slave masters and female slaves. These programs began after the outlawing of importation of new slaves and the rapid growth production of cotton in 1808.[1]  Due to the fact that the death rates of slaves were very high and in order to regain the loss of slaves they began to encourage them to start having children. To reassure that these programs would work these slave women were promised freedom only after they were able to bare fifteen children. These women were expected to have their first child by the age of thirteen and at least five by the age of twenty. [2] These breeding programs were defended by the southern states. Also, many of the states that breed slaves had less agriculture than the states that bought slaves.[3]

Even after two hundred years these breeding programs people are still affected by these breeding programs due to the stereotypes that come with it. Many people know the stereotypical thought that many black cannot or they are afraid to swim. Although most people can say that the reason behind this is due to the fact that swimming pools were not located near most of the black families but all honesty research has proven that no matter the race usually if a parent does not partake in the activity, like swimming, or are afraid of doing that activity their children is less likely to learn how to do it as well.[4]

Today as a young African-American female who has lived with these stereotypes all my life I can understand now that these stereotypes are somewhat true. Even though I know that personally I would not be able to live through a time where at one point I would be forced to bear children but I commend my ancestors on striving thorough these horrible years and because of them I am here. I guess strong genes run do through the family.

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[1] Creative Commons Attribution, "Women and Slavery - Slavery in the U.S.." Last modified 2014. Accessed February 27, 2014. https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/slavery-and-reform-1820-1840/slavery-in-the-u-s/women-and-slavery/.

[2] John, Simkin. Spartacus Educational, "Slave Breeding." Last modified January 2014. Accessed February 27, 2014.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASbreeding.htm?menu=USAslavery.

[3] Wordpress, "Slave Breeding in the South| The Common Room." Last modified September 28, 2012. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://thecommonroomblog.com/2012/09/slave-breeding-in-the-south.html.

[4] Amy, Bass. Salon Media Group, ""Slave Genes" Myth must die. ." Last modified July 24, 2012. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://www.salon.com/2012/07/25/michael_johnsons_gold_medal_in_ignorance/.