Slaves

Sexual abuse was also a lasting threat on the family. Masters took whom they pleased when they pleased which produced many mulatto children and countless heartache on the young girl or women. Family members could rarely intervene to prevent the abuse of another family member. Watching a family member endure pain could even be more painful than the abuse itself. Slave family structure, while not always traditional, created strong kinship ties despite the oppressive system. .
             Religion was also an important part in helping slaves survive the oppression of slavery. After the "white" service was over, slaves were often required to go to a church meeting where a white preacher preached about slaves obeying their masters. Slaves would also hold separate meetings to hear from slave preachers, even though these meetings were illegal. Preachers may have been illiterate but they knew all they needed to know to preach the biblical message of salvation. Slaves" services would consist of singing, dancing, shouting, and praying long into the night. .
             Music was an essential form of expression in both secular and religious circles. Slave songs were rarely about joy and happiness but about communicating the sorrow and pain that slavery cost them. But the themes of deliverance and triumph were, also, commonly expressed. One song went:.
             There's a better day a-coming,.
             Will you go along with me?.
             There's a better day a-coming, .
             Go sound the jubilee! .
             These types of songs gave the slaves a hope for the future knowing that they would spend eternity in heaven free from all pain and suffering. "Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains," remarked on slave. The true meanings of the songs were hid through the use of symbols, metaphor, and allegories. .
             Folktales were also common way for voicing resistance to slavery. The plots of folk tales, on the surface, were about obtaining food, shelter, or the favor of the opposite sex but beneath the surface they told of the power struggle between slaves and their masters.