Conflict, Competition and Courtship in the Slave Community
David Doddington
The focus of the essay shall shift towards a discussion on conflict in communal and familial life. It is clear that, to begin with, one must chart the historiographical progression of scholarship on the African American family in the slave community. It could be argued that it is absolutely integral one understands the depictions of enslaved existence that existed prior to the revisionist movement’s challenge. To be aware of this is to more fully understand what they were reacting against and why; what they achieved; what they neglected; and ultimately why it now requires revision. Only once this has been done do I intend to add to the revisionist trend by examining the role of conflict and competition in the romantic and familial sphere.