helping tradition

Helping Tradition
Name
Institution

Abstract
In Chapter 2 of the book ‘Helping Tradition in the Black Family and Community’, the author talks about black people who were oppressed by the white man. The free blacks and the slaves lived a brutal life but the slaves were subjected to more brutality than the free blacks. However, the slaves and the free blacks lived in two different worlds that were connected, despite being oppressed by the white man they lived in unity and harmony. The free Negros and slaves often gathered in secret places where they assisted each other. Since most of the free blacks had tasted slavery; they felt that it was their duty to help the slaves to attain their freedom; some even saved money to free them. Over time, the feeling of togetherness evolved from their ties to the extended families, which resulted in a greater expression of racial consciousness. Family members assisted each other in many ways, including spiritually, emotionally and even materially. More so, the black people had a strong religious consciousness, they gathered in churches where they worshipped God. Finally, the black women played an essential role in the society; they were the backbone of the community as they sourced finances for the survival of the black family.
Keywords: free blacks, slaves, racial consciousness, freedom
Helping Tradition
In Chapter 2 of the book ‘Helping Tradition in the Black Family and Community’, the author talks about black people who were oppressed by the white man.

The free blacks and the slaves lived a brutal life but the slaves were subjected to more brutality than the free blacks. The free blacks lived a segregated life and had no right to vote or to testify against the whites in court (Martin, J. & Martin, E., 1985). They received lower wages even after doing the same type of work as whites. They lived in poor housing due to low wages that they received. Life was not easy for the slaves as they worked under the authority of the white man and had no right to own property, hire out labour or even question their master.
However, the slaves and the free blacks lived in two different worlds that were connected, despite being oppressed by the white man they lived in unity and harmony. The free blacks never forgot their brothers and sisters who were slaves. The free blacks had a strong identification with the slaves especially if they were relatives; this helped strengthen the bonds of racial unity between the two groups. The free Negros and slaves often gathered in churches, homes, streets and other secret places where they offered help in terms of shelter, clothing and food, they also communicated important information regarding each other’s survival. They had a strong sense of racial consciousness since they faced a common problem and desired to be free. Their ties were also strengthened by their helping tradition.
The slaves took great risks to rebel against oppression, as such, they engaged in acts such as faking illness, planning open rebellions, resisting through acts of self-violence such as committing suicide among others. The slaves depended entirely on the free blacks for assistance in order to live (Martin, J. & Martin, E., 1985). Since most of the free blacks had tasted slavery; they felt that it was their duty to help the slaves to attain their freedom; some even saved money to free them. Over time, the feeling of togetherness changed from their ties to the extended families, which resulted in a greater expression of racial consciousness. This meant that the considered themselves as brothers and sisters fighting the same battle which was to be free. It also helped them have pride in their accomplishments. Due to the strong sense of racial consciousness, the slaves had natural helping initiatives such fictive kin relations and the extended family (Martin, J. & Martin, E., 1985). However, the free Negros were not allowed to institutionalize their helping networks such as building schools and churches or other self-help activities. Nonetheless, the aspect of taking care of each other among free black was still eminent in their communities, moral and mental improvement efforts and even planned protests.
The extended family was the primary institution that facilitated caregiving activities among the black. Family members assisted each other in many ways, including spiritually, emotionally and even materially. More so, the black people had a strong religious consciousness, they gathered in churches where they worshipped God and expressed their grievances. Their love of God was the embankment on which they placed their thirst for liberty and desire to assist others to be free. Further, their societies and fraternal orders that arose from the black churches were involved in providing aid to the needy. Similarly, mental and moral improvement institutions were also as popular as the churches, societies and the fraternal order. They assisted in empowering people as they emphasised on issues such as hard work, industrious among others. These virtues facilitated social uplift, dignity, and respect among the black people. Finally, the black women played an essential role in the society; they were the backbone of the community as they sourced finances that were critical to the survival of the black family. Women worked tirelessly to sustain their families. Even if they lived in a male-dominated society, they were never relegated to inferiority as they had gone through slavery just as men.
Reference
Martin, J. M., & Martin, E. P. (1985). The Helping Tradition in the Black Family and Community. National Association of Social Workers, Inc., 750 First St. NE, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002.