The South That Never Was

The reality is far different from the stereotype.

The South That Never Was

.

By Elton Camp  

 

A plantation, hundreds of slaves and a mansion so fine

Is the usual image of the Old South that comes to mind

 

But a situation like that picture was actually quite rare

With no slave holding for three-fourths of whites there

 

So for most whites, slavery didn’t help nor did it hurt

They were farmers and most of them were poor as dirt

 

But the horrible concept, most supported just the same

Since those worse off than them they could then name

 

They could dream of a life like a few planters enjoyed

Riches and privilege where slave labor was employed

 

A stereotyped version of the South some still believe

But about their actual heritage that does badly deceive

 

For if in a time machine they could manage to go back

They’d find economic slaves though they weren’t black

 

Reviews

[Eileenws]

An interesting picture of the south. I am not from the south but know that slavery was a peculiar institution that needed to be abolished. I read that Mrs. Lincoln came from a farm in Kentucky that had many slaves. She marries the man who frees them. What a story.