Stunning portraits of former slaves photographed seventy years after the Emancipation Proclamation

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Beautiful pictures of Hebrew Slaves a generation that's gone but not forgotten.

Stunning portraits of former slaves photographed seventy years after the Emancipation Proclamation

Added by MrsKnoetal on April 2, 2012.
Saved under African American Heroes, Black News



In the 1920s and 1930s, an interest in slave narratives was rekindled, and as part of the Federal Writers’ Project of the Work Progress Administration, more than 2,000 first-person accounts of slavery were collected, as well as 500 black and white photographs.

The collection was compiled in 17 states between 1936 and 1938. Many of the former slaves interviewed were well into their 80s and 90s – some were even past 100.

One former slave, Sarah Gudger, claimed she was 121. She told the federal writer: ‘Yo’ know de sta’s don’ shine as bgright as dey did back den. I wonah wy dey don’. Dey jes’ don’ shine as bright.’ Many of the collected accounts are written phonetically, giving further insight to their linguistics, mannerisms, and characters.

Born into slavery: Between 1936 and 1938, the Federal Writers’ Project of the Work Progress Administration photographed former slaves and collected their stories





I am weary let me rest: By the time their accounts were taken, many former slaves were well into their 80s and 90s

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Town and country: They offered extraordinary insight into slave life

They provide powerful insight into a part of America’s history that is no longer in living memory – it exists instead in the Library of Congress. One slave said in 1855: ‘Tisn’t he who has stood and looked on, that can tell you what slavery is – ‘tis he who has endured.’

Another man, John W. Fields, 89, said: ‘We were never allowed to go to town and it was not until after I ran away that I knew that they sold anything but slaves, tobacco, and whiskey. Our ignorance was the greatest hold the South had on us. We knew we could run away, but what then? An offender guilty of this crime was subjected to very harsh punishment.’


While there are many reasons as to why these testimonials were collected, one reason was simply the passing of time- by the 1930s, surviving former slaves were old men and women.

The time in which to capture their testimonies was running out, thus putting a sense of urgency to the project. Many of the accounts are deeply troubling, and are powerful reminders of America’s seedy past




We shall overcome: One former slave said: ‘Tisn’t he who has stood and looked on, that can tell you what slavery is – ‘tis he who has endured’

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Passing of time: While there are many reasons as to why these testimonials were collected, one reason was simply the passing of time




Government project: By the 1930s, surviving former slaves were old men and women; the time in which to capture their testimonies was running out, thus putting a sense of urgency to the project

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STILL STANDING TALL AND WITH DIGNITY look at them, came from the depth of hell and came out standing tall with their head up and with grace and dignity and still praising YHWH for a better tommorow is promise and know that their heritage is rich.

lighthearted26

My grandparents have a picture of their grandparents that reminds of these photos. They are sitting on a bench looking hot, tired and mad as fuck, understandably so. Too bad no narratives were taken like in 1890 to get a better look into their lives. Cool thread.

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lighthearted26 wrote: »

My grandparents have a picture of their grandparents that reminds of these photos. They are sitting on a bench looking hot, tired and mad as fuck, understandably so. Too bad no narratives were taken like in 1890 to get a better look into their lives. Cool thread.

word, my family got those pictures like those and in those pictures my grandfather and his uncles was rocking overall's like those in the pictures put a smile to my face. That's why when my great grandmother was alive back in the days i cherished those moments on her porch in OK just listening to thoses stories of her's.

judahxulu

Powerful thread. Especially to those who think stankin lincoln freed us

pralims

sadly my family didnt take care of such photos...and most of them rather forget the past than to past it until us thru story

G Mack

judahxulu wrote: »

Powerful thread. Especially to those who think stankin lincoln freed us

i thought cyrus freed yall

playmaker88

Great drop fam... powerful indeed


And they couldnt be mistaken for anything else.. that one dude looks like huggy bear

Lurker6

waited way to long to take these damn pictures....like lighthearted said should of been done in like the 1890s