"From Can to Can't" Slaves spent most of their waking hours, most of their days, and most of their lives working for their owners without compensation. Compulsory labor shaped their existance from cradle to grave. Slave children grew up watching their parents and other fellow slaves work. By the age of eight or so most children were working at least part time; by their early teens, they were toiling as hard and as long as full-grown adaults. Thereafter, only illness, disability, and (for women) childbirth exempted them from year-round labor until they reached old age. (Remembering Slavery, the book: chapter 2, page71) Voices: Louis Gossett Jr, reading the words of Frank Bell Joe McDonald Fountain Hughes |