Hegel

            While reading The Sugar Masters, I was continuously reminded of Hegel’s Master-Slave dialectic and believe that it is a concept that goes well with a number of the discussions that we have had in the class. The way I remember his argument, which may be a little off, is that one defines him or her self by the things and people around him or her. Hegel uses the example of a slave and slave master. Since his master sees him as a slave, a slave will feel as though he is a slave. And visa versa, the slave master needs a slave to feel as though he is a slave master. This idea goes against paternalism, since it is actually the slave master that needs the slave to continue viewing himself the same way. Although this is an over simplified version of the argument, I think that it has some truth and connection with or conversations relating to a number of class issues. For example Morgan uses this idea is some way, when he suggests that it is not only the wealthy white land owner that would chooses to have black slaves, but the white man that is working next to the slave because he is defining himself as different from the slave. Going back to the beginning of the year in or discussion of Slave ship Sailors, one of the most fascinating aspects of their occupation was how differently others saw them in just one circle of the Atlantic trade. On many occasions slave ship sailors were seen as both inferior to one group and superior to another, with shifting lines as to what type of people viewed them in different ways. This odd view that others held of them would clearly cause them to hold a unique view of themselves. Their unique view and bond in around that view could possibly be the reason why they were some of the first people to unify and strike. I believe that this same Hegelian concept can be seen in Barbara Clark Smith’s discussion about Food Rioters. As she states in the traditional food riot, there is a game played with royalty to change the food prices. Once those who are in charge change, to people of less power, those who would riots position also changes. Their behavior and power has now shifted as those in power have shifted. Hegel’s theory is an important one and I think could be an interesting topic of conversation in this class.  

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