Lousia Adams
Hey everyone!
My last day of school for this semester is in two days and I couldn’t be more excited to finally do what I want to do. I’ve been starting to do my reading and gained some kind of determination to accomplish my goals this break. I know I wanted to post more on my blog and I was thinking, “Hey why don’t I put my old research papers on here and have my readers look into them” So, I wanted to start off with my research paper on Louisa Adams. During the summer I took United States History I here at Odessa College and I had a great time taking Professor Smith’s class. I wish I was able to take the class in person, now that I don’t get shy asking questions in class, I would’ve been more attentive. The courses was well organized and I was able to understand ( and have a good refresher) how America became to be. We did a research on The WPA Slave Narrative Project, we had to pick an ex-slave and read about their experience as a slave. I cried while reading about Louisa Adams, she did not deserve the life she had. Doing this research paper has reminded me on how much suffering and pain they all had to go through to fight for the right to equality, they thought it was only a dream. Now here we are living in a society where African Americans can have an education, own a house, read and write, wonder free, not be separated from their families, and go through harsh torment, etc. I am not saying that they lived Happily Ever After, there is still so much more freedom we need to fight for. We as people need to continue to use our voices and not let their suffering go in vain. Here is my research paper on Miss Louisa Adams.
The WPA Slave Narrative Project started out from 1936 and ended in 1938. A significant endeavor by the Federal Writers’ Project aimed at writing down their personal stories of those who has been enslaved. These perspectives were gathered during the Great Depression that provides heartbreaking and priceless insight of their reality of slavery, freedom and the Reconstruction era. The project is historic for its position in history and seeing it’s challenges to prevailing historical events that are frequently downplayed or idealized the harshness of slavery.
One particular story I decided to read was at the time eight-year-old Louisa Adams. She was born in Rockingham, North Coralina. Her story was captured by interviewer T. Pat Matthews, who vividly illustrates the intense emotions and realities of like in slavery. Adams describes the horrid circumstances she faced such as substandard food, insufficient clothing, and torment of observing her father’s barbaric beatings. Her recollections of being banned from education, compelled to labor from an early age, and experiencing constant anxiety over punishment highlight the degrading aspects of slavery. Nevertheless, her story also showcases her resilience, cultural heritage and propound sense of self.
The importance of little Louisa’s life—and the entire WPA initiative—goes further than mere historical record-keeping. These perspectives serve as a counterbalance to understand the interpretations of American history and offer primary material for researchers, educators and the general audience. Although the interviewers were influenced by racial conditions of the 1930s South, they continue to be a fundamental element of African American historical writing. They elevate voices that have been silent for too long and present a richer, more sophisticated view of the country’s history.
In her WPA interview, miss Louisa Adams offers a deeply personal and harrowing account of her life. She recalls being “so hongry we were bound to steal or perish,” (Pg.2) a stark reflection of the deprivation enslaved people endured. Adams describes living in log houses daubed with mud, receiving only one pair of shows a year. Her brother, Soloman had shoes that were worn down and walked barefoot in the winter. His feet were cut open with blisters, he would work from dusk till dawn (Pg. 3). One of the most haunting moments in her narrative is when she recounts greasing her father’s back after he had been whipped until it was “cut to pieces” (Pg. 5)—a visceral image that underscores the cruelty of slavery. Adams’s testimony is not only a record of physical suffering but also of psychological trauma. She notes that reading was forbidden and punishable by sale, highlighting the systemic efforts to suppress Black literacy and autonomy. Her reflections on the arrival of Union troops and the end of slavery reveal a complex mix of fear, hope, and uncertainty. Her voice and story will not be forgotten, her testimony shows how inhuman people can be.
In her article for Slate titled “The Tragedy of the WPA Slave Narratives,” Rebecca Onion goes into the ethical and methodological dilemmas surrounding the WPA initiative. She points out that most interactions were carried out by white fieldworkers in the Jim Crow South, which likely affected the degree of openness allowed for Black respondents. Many former slaves might have moderated their narratives or steered clear of specific subjects due to societal pressures or apprehension. Despite these constraints, Onion contends that the narratives remain tremendously significant. She highlights that they constitute one of the earliest extensive attempts to capture African American history. The article urges readers to engage with the narratives thoughtfully recognizing their historical backdrop while valuing their story.
PLEASE READ THE LINKS DOWN BELOW, IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT THE OTHER EX-SLAVES LIVES!!!!!
Citations
- Adams, Louisa. Interview by T. Pat Matthews. North Carolina, ca. 1937. In Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936 to 1938. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/mesn111/..
- Onion, Rebecca. “The Tragedy of the WPA Slave Narratives.” Slate. July 6, 2016. https://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/history/2016/07/can_wpa_slave_narratives_be_trusted_or_are_they_tainted_by_depression_era.html..
