By spigmike

Slavery had an extremely malignant impact on the development of African-American culture. However, this impact was caused several factors, not solely their treatment. The destruction of their previous culture and removal from their heritage, their inability to communicate as slaves, and the impact of slavery after emancipation all negatively affected African-American Culture.Through slavery, Africans completely lost their heritage and previous culture. They were separated from their families, and cultural items such as their drums with which they used to communicate were also taken away. Their original names were ignored, and their master or the person who gave them their new name usually just named them on a whim without any consideration to what their name had been previously or what name they wished to have. As slaves, they weren't allowed to perform African rituals or practice their religion. Everything that had once been a part of their culture was no longer a part of their life.Slavery also disrupted communication between slaves that might have led to the formation of culture during this time period. Slaves weren't allowed to speak in their native languages, and the little English that they knew did not allow them to effectively communicate. Masters also prevented their slaves from learning to read and write, so the potential for them to be able to communicate was severely limited. Because slave owners were afraid that the ability to communicate and intelligence would result in slaves escaping or revolting, slaves were never allowed to learn anything that would benefit them intellectually.Even after slaves were emancipated, slavery has had a constant malignant impact on their culture. Much of their art and music was based on the terrible memories from slavery. Slavery put African-Americans at a racial disadvantage, which has taken them over a century to fight, and they still have not completely overcome this disadvantage. The racism that they have faced has led them to become bonded like an extended family, but this bond is a method of defense rather than an actual cultural bond. The impact of the memories and racism of slavery has caused African-Americans to create a culture based around their defense and overcoming racism, rather than a common religion or common practice.Slavery has left an indelible impact on African-Americans as a whole. Overcoming such an obstacle is impossible, and memories of slavery will always be held within them. The removal of their culture, their restrictions as slaves, and the impact of slavery after emancipation have all negatively affected the culture that they have created.Sources: Kennedy, David, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002.