Creation of the United States: 1600-1865 History 110 Slavery Essay and Discussion Assignment Introduction During the generations of slavery, gender roles in slave and free black communities were often challenged. Women were rarely given respect by whites (males in particular) and men faced obstacles to holding any of the status that white men commanded in society. Certainly, as slaves, African Americans possessed no real rights to any gender respect, but even free blacks faced many obstacles—both implicit and explicit—to being able to exercise their gendered rights in America. Moreover, after the Civil War, African Americans continued to struggle to be able to live their lives like whites among whom accepted gender roles for both men and women were acknowledged and generally respected. The struggles seen by Frederick Douglass, evident in his family, and described by historians help establish an understanding of the gender toll taken by racism as part of slavery’s legacy in the US. Assignment Details and Timeline Before starting this essay, be sure to read the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass as well as the relevant text chapters dealing with slavery. In addition, read the short remembrance of Douglass’s daughter and the essay that are loaded in the Canvas page for the Week of 4/19 in preparation to write the essay. During one of the last weeks of class (date TBD, but likely week of 4/26) we will have a class discussion about the general topic of race, gender, and their effects on the current debates around racism in today’s US. Be sure to have Douglass’s book and the other readings for this assignment done before the discussion so you can follow, understand, and enter into the discussion. Participation (or lack thereof will be noted for participation portion of course grade). Plus, the discussion should aid you in writing your paper. In addition, each student will submit an essay no later than Friday, May 7. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman or similar font and 3-4 pages in length. NOTE: Accumulated writing errors may result in a lower grade. In the paper, and using specific quotes/examples from the Douglass autobiography, his daughter’s remembrance, and the historical essay, answer/respond to the following: -What were the expected gender roles of men and women in antebellum era America? -How were those roles illustrated in white and black communities before the Civil War? -Analyze how the different racial experiences of gender (as socially constructed in that era) effected the lives of black men and women (in both free black and slave contexts) compared to that of white men and women. -Develop an explanation of how those historical gendered and racialized experiences manifest themselves in today’s society and culture. NOTE: There must be at least 2 direct quotes/paraphrases from each of the book, document, and historical essay or credit will be lost on the assignment. Cite referenced with page number (where available) in parentheses such as (Douglass, 56) or (R. Douglass) or (Horton and Horton, 325).