Enslaved people worked long hours doing backbreaking labor, often in dangerous conditions. They were typically given only the bare minimum of food, clothing, and shelter. If they did not work hard enough, they were often beaten or otherwise punished.
Enslaved people were also subject to sexual abuse by their masters and other white men. Women were especially vulnerable to this abuse, and it was not uncommon for enslaved women to be forced to bear children by their masters.
The lives of enslaved people were often short and brutal. Many died from overwork, malnutrition, disease, or accidents. Others were killed by their masters or overseers for disobeying orders or attempting to escape.
Despite the hardships they faced, enslaved people managed to find ways to resist and preserve their culture. They created their own music, art, and literature, and they passed down stories and traditions from generation to generation. They also engaged in acts of resistance, such as running away, sabotaging their masters' property, and participating in revolts.
The horrors of slavery cannot be overstated. It was a system of human exploitation and brutality that tore families apart, dehumanized millions of people, and left a lasting legacy of racism and inequality in the United States.