Unbreakable...

The ability to use language has always been important to the African American race. Author, Jacqueline Royster describes how the concept of storytelling was one of the traditions that Africans continued to utilize after they were shipped to the Americas. Storytelling was used as a way to preserve the rich African culture. Not surprisingly, this was one of the many roles that women played in the African society. Through their stories, women were to lead their listeners down the path in which they should go.

Women were continuously degraded, yet their self esteem remained intact. “They were treated in a genderless way as they were called upon to work side by side with men” (Stewart 111). Enslaved women did what was forced upon them to do. They worked like men on the plantation and were sexually abused when it was convenient to the slave owner. However, this did not discourage African women from being strong and this strength allowed them, as well as others, to live. In addition to keeping the spirits of their community high, these black women made several attempts to speak out and stand up for equality. They attempted to use the legal system as a way to win rights that had not previously been awarded to Blacks. This in itself was an exciting feat for African Americans.

It is sad that women have never been given the credit that they deserve. Black women play such a huge part in the history of the African American culture; however, little is ever said about them. They are the glue that holds the community together, but they are consistently taken for granted. From this reading alone, it is easy to realize how strong and important women are. As slaves, they were made to do the same work as men, while being subject to sexual harassment and abuse on an everyday basis, in addition to taking care of a household. This means that they had twice the responsibility of Black men and constantly had to try to avoid being raped. Regardless, women took this responsibility in stride and maintained their dignity. These women laid the foundation for African American women today.