The Often Overlooked Horrors of the Confederacy and Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter, often discussed in the context of the Civil War, holds a darker and more disturbing truth than what is commonly talked about. The attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate traitors was not merely a battle for political independence but a violent assertion of the inhumane institution of slavery. This essay delves into the seldom-discussed reasons behind the conflict, focusing on the brutal and degrading practices of the slaveholding class.

Brutality and Betrayal

The attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate traitors was not a straightforward act of patriotism or political ambition. It was a precursor to widespread atrocity, rooted in the preservation of a satanic institution: slavery. During the Civil War, an estimated 620,000 Americans died, while millions more were injured, displaced, or left homeless. However, one horrific aspect rarely discussed is that white “masters” raped female slaves, fathered children by them, and then sold their own children for profit. This perverse practice painted a picture of a society completely devoid of moral compass.

A Personal Perspective

Despite the stark nature of this history, it is important to note that I do not view this from the perspective of a northern “rant” about the South. I am a southerner, raised in the heart of Tennessee, and I have experienced racism firsthand. Growing up in an inner-city Nashville school as one of only a few white students, I and my sisters often outperformed our classmates, a situation that eventually led to our teachers advising us to lower our standards. My experiences with racism have driven me to become an editor, publisher, and translator of poems that address the atrocities of the Trail of Tears, the Holocaust, and the Palestinian Nakba. I have worked closely with Holocaust survivors, a Hiroshima survivor, and numerous Palestinian poets who share profoundly disturbing stories. I have no bias against the South or southerners, but I firmly believe in confronting the reality of history.

The Human Cost of Slavery

Slavery was not just an economic institution; it was a vacuum of human rights and dignity. Confederate traitors, in their desperation to maintain control over slaves, were willing to sacrifice their fellow countrymen. The white “masters” who owned slaves would rape female slaves, father children by them, and sell those very same children for profit. This practice did not only result in unwanted pregnancies but also the forced separation of families, as children born to slave mothers were often sold away from their families.

Apply common sense and empathy to this issue: what would you think about a neighbor who committed murder to own slaves, especially if those slaves were your children? This was the moral landscape in the South during the Civil War. The reality was that slavery not only legalized rape but also sexual trafficking, leading to the continued abuse of children who were systematically ripped from their families and sold.

Consequences and Justifications

The legacy of such heinous practices is deeply ingrained in American history. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter was not merely a battle for independence but a battle to preserve the “right” of white “masters” to rape female slaves and sell their own children for profit. This malicious goal meant the breaking of black families apart for financial gain. Slaveowners, in their twisted logic, saw nothing wrong with this. To them, the human life and dignity of those they enslaved were nothing more than commodities to be bought and sold for profit.

Slavery was, without a doubt, one of the most abominable institutions in human history. It was a testament to the depths of human cruelty and corruption. The sexual violation of female slaves and the sale of children were among the most despicable aspects of this brutal system. Imagine being a black mother and having to warn your young daughter about the atrocities committed by white men. Imagine being a black man and witnessing the rape of your own mother and sisters. The dehumanizing and perverted nature of slavery cannot be overstated.

A Call for Truth and Justice

The history of Fort Sumter and the Civil War cannot be fully understood without acknowledging these atrocities. Grappling with the true nature of the conflict is crucial for addressing the ongoing issues of racism and inequality. While emotions can run high, it is essential to ground our understanding in the brutal facts of history. The legacy of slavery and its descendants continues to impact society today, and until we confront these issues, we will remain bound by the chains of the past.

Bibliography:

M. R. Burch. SLAVERY MRB. 2024