Kathleen Brown examines the origins of racism and slavery in British North America from the perspective of gender. Both a basic social relationship and a model for other social hierarchies; gender helped determine the construction of racial categories and the institution of slavery in Virginia. But the rise of racial slavery also transformed gender relations; including ideals of masculinity. In response to the presence of Indians; the shortage of labor; and the insecurity of social rank; Virginia's colonial government tried to reinforce its authority by regulating the labor and sexuality of English servants and by making legal distinctions between English and African women. This practice; along with making slavery hereditary through the mother; contributed to the cultural shift whereby women of African descent assumed from lower-class English women both the burden of fieldwork and the stigma of moral corruption. Brown's analysis extends through Bacon's Rebellion in 1676; an important juncture in consolidating the colony's white male public culture; and into the eighteenth century. She demonstrates that; despite elite planters' dominance; wives; children; free people of color; and enslaved men and women continued to influence the meaning of race and class in colonial Virginia.
#1385205 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1984-09-28 1984-09-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .90 x 6.13l; 1.23 #File Name: 0807841269359 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. AmazingBy Karen HallJohn Lawson is my immigrant ancestor; and a legend in my family; and yet I was 52 years old before I knew this book was still in print. I was thrilled to find out; and gave it to my siblings and cousins for Christmas. Reading the book was an amazing experience to me; because I felt I was reading it from the inside out. I understand John Lawson so well; and he gave me the gift of understanding myself better.For people who don't have a personal stake in the story; it's still an amazing read. Lawson was an excellent writer; a keen observer and his sensibilities are such that he was able to see all that was admirable about the native Americans without losing sight of all that was horrific. He was a victim of that paradox; as he was burned alive by the people he so admired.He is known as one of the nation's first humorists; I learned; and in my own generation I see his dry wit. It's also interesting to me that in my generation; there are two professional writers and one humor columnist; and we all recognized our own voices in his.He was a man who left a very comfortable life in London to come and trek through North Carolina before it existed. He chose to begin his trip at the end of December -- a fact that I find astounding -- and he describes life-threatening incidents as if they were minor inconveniences. The courage and love of adventure that define his spirit shine through on every page. Regardless of my lack of objectivity; he was a remarkable man; he wrote a remarkable book.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. History LiveBy SeanIf you live in eastern NC; and are interested in its history; this is a good start. Lawson explored the colony and documented what he saw; heard; and tasted. Its written in the 1700's so; reading it does require a little translation into today's terms. But its interesting to see place names and spellings. also to read his accounts f animals in the area that aren't here anymore. We had buffaloes. Also french colonists were in the area of the Trent river. Never knew that before. Most interesting is his interactions with the Natives. He had respect for them and their way of life which is quite a change from what we here of early explorers. Its even more astonishing when considering he died at their hands. All in all an interesting read and I learned a little of my history0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I purchased the less expensive paperback; which does not ...By ConcordiaI purchased the less expensive paperback; which does not include Lawson's drawings. I feel they are important to his story; but the can also be found online.
