Slave Diary

Fifteen years or so ago, I was assigned a project in a college history class.  It was influential for me.  It made me aware of my interest in writing about people and social issues.  But more than that, it made an indelible mark on me.  It forced me, and hopefully my classmates, to examine and recognize a human plight that had been horribly real.  The task was to examine antebellum and Civil War social issues.  And I attempted to tackle the assignment through the construction of a Slave Diary.  My group counterpart would provide a juxtaposing view through the creation of a diary of a white plantation mistress.                                                                               
The legal enslavement of people ended many years ago.  But there are such things that still exist.  Life is busy, and it is all too easy to overlook what others are going through.  Be it child sex trafficking, domestic violence, or the violent taking of infant lives, ignorance doesn't render these things untrue or unreal.                                                                                                        
I have wanted to share this diary for some time now.  I will post it in order, but in parts.  It is too long to post all together.  Thank you for taking the time to read it.  I hope it paints a picture for you.  Please feel free to leave feedback.                                                                                            
Thanks.
Slave Diary

Introduction
Vilet was born into slavery on a Manassas plantation in 1828.  Although never to be considered American citizens, her parents were also American-born.  They were sold away from her when she was in her teens.  At twenty, Vilet married an emancipated black man and later had a child with him, a girl named Olivia.  In 1852, her husband was forced out of the state by a Virginia law stating that all free Negroes must leave within twelve months time or be sold into slavery.  During the writing of this diary, Vilet is living on a plantation near Bull Run.  Olivia remains with her.

June 1 1856
Today miss Lilly come to visit me.  We drank tea and had fine talk for nearly an hour.  Lilly's marse has promised to purchase her little girl from the Cambell plantashun in Manassas.  It seemed Lilly was happier than I seen her be in a long time.  She miss her girl somethin terrible and did cry over her many times that I visited with her.  I thank the Lord that my eyes look upon my baby every day.  I can't write no more tonight.  Tomorrow, bein Sunday, miss Katherine sure to be spectin a fine breakfast.

June 10, 1856
Theys a slave named Jeremiah that absconded about dis time last month.  He been livin in the woods right on marses own land.  I think there aint a slave here that dont know about it.  We bring him food by night.  On the cooler nights, we been bringing him into our own cabins.  Far as I know, marse hasnt even sent out looking for him. 

July 19, 1856
Aint herd from miss Lilly since we had tea.  Im hopin shell be callin on me soon.  Her marse is good to her and lets her come and go one or two times per fortnight.  Marse seems not as happy as usual.  I dont no what can be cosin his mood, but he nealy had James whip dat new slave boy today.  I never seen marse have nobody wipped less they be good cause for it.  But today marse became easily upset for what seemed to me a small matter.  Before Jimmy could tie the boy down, tho, marse told him to let him go.  The boy was givin a strong warning in words only.

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