Takaki 'No More Peck'o Corn'

1) Why were slaves thought of as 'child like'?
"'Slaves never become men or women,' a traveler in the South commented.  Slave masters frequently referred to adult blacks as 'grown up children,' or 'boys' and 'girls'.  Referring themselves as guardians, they claimed their slaves had to 'governed as children'"'(112).
       Slaves were thought of as children because they were not seen as equal to their white masters; they were often not properly educated like the whites, and their masters saw them as property that they owned ad controlled.  In the quote, it is evident that slave masters believe that the slaves need to practically be tamed, like animals.  In the whites' eyes, the blacks have nearly no potential to grow into something more than a laborer.

2) What is the difference between how southern and northern blacks were treated? 
"Very few blacks lived in the North.  They were 'free', for the northern states had abolished slavery after the American Revolution" (107).
"But masters also believed that strict discipline was essential and that power had to be based on fear" (111).
       Based on the quote, in the North, blacks were seen as 'free', but they were still mildly discriminated against and segregated; they could not vote and were often feared to be criminals.  The South, however, used blacks as slaves on plantations and other areas.  The quote states that some masters would be gentle and kind to their workers, while others were ruthless and strict with their slaves.  All in all, the North gave the blacks more freedom and liberty than the South, but in both, there was still discrimination and prejudice.

3) Why wasn't Fredrick Douglass allowed to read?
"'If you give a nigger an inch he will take an ell' he angrily lectured, 'learning will spoil the best nigger in the world'" (123).
       Fredrick Douglass was not allowed to read because his master forbade his wife to teach him any more lessons, for he saw it as dangerous.  He believed that teaching a black to read or learn was wrong and would go against society; blacks were not supposed to or allowed to be educated.  They were treated like dumb animals that should not be granted anything like learning.

Assimilation vs. Resistance

Best Policy for the Tribes to Pursue: Assimilation
Economic:  More opportunities would be available to the tribes to obtain a variety of occupations other than farming and agricultural work.  It would provide families with more income to help survive.  Also, the money that would be spent on wars and fighting could be spent on the necessities that are needed to survive.
Social:  Respect would be gained from the white people for them changing to their ways and lifestyle; they would no longer be perceived as outcasts and would be included in the community and blend in with everyone else.
Political:  Because the whites respect the tribe more, they will grant them more freedom and rights that they did not have prior to assimilating to the whites' culture.

Worst Policy for the Tribes to Pursue: Resistance
Economic:  Money and income that could be used to purchase things to help survive is being wasted on support and weapons for the war and protection from attacks; health is being set aside for the killing of other people.
Social:  One's culture and true beliefs are lost throughout the chaos, and it lessons the tribe's population as well.  Nothing can be gained for the people by fighting back accept for losing the people and things that they care about.
Political:  War does not solve anything for the loser it is risky for the tribe to fight back because they are behind in numbers and support.  It is also hypocritical of the tribes to fight back when all they want is peace with the whites.

The Tempest Reading Questions

1) What did the puritans fear from the natives?

The puritans feared the natives because they were believed to be in touch with the devil and unnatural spirits other than God.  They were seen as uncivilized savages and the puritans thought that the natives' intentions were not pure, and they would get in touch with evil spirits in nature; the puritans did not desire to become people who worshiped the devil and anyone else other than God; therefore, the were afraid of becoming like the natives and transforming from what they really were.

2) Why did the English attack the Irish? How was this experience like the natives and the English?

The English attacked the Irish because they believed that they were far more superior than anyone else who they encountered.  It was believed that there were social and other boundaries that separated the two groups of people and the English "deserved" to be in a higher standing than the Irish.  They were of no use to the English, so they saw out to destroy them.  It is similar to the English and natives' experience because in both situations, the English saw themselves as far more educated and civilized people; therefore, they thought they were more worthy than any other group to grow and expand as a civilization.

3) Why was there such a difference between the Natives and the English? Who created the difference and why?
The difference between the natives and English originated from different backgrounds and cultures.  People who were from Europe were raised in a more wealthy environment with God as the one to worship in man-made churches.  The natives grew up fighting and trading to earn the necessities that they needed to survive daily.  They also, in contrast to the English, would worship God in nature like the woods because that is where they felt more connected to God.  The differences could have been compromised when the two groups first came into contact with each other, but instead they kept certain boundaries that prevented a neutral living environment and routine.