Reading George Fitzhugh I became very confused. Since he went back and forth between different issues, I found it hard to not like him, but at the same time I didn't like him. His first points that he makes were to me the most confusing. He believes that slavery should be for black and whites, but overall is for slavery. In the same page he says he is against racism. To me racism isn't all about back or white but about people and their treatment from other people and society. So when George says he isn't racist but is for slavery, it makes no sense to me.
Throughout the rest of the passage he goes on to contradict himself about many different issues. He makes a comment that he doesn't like or agree with the Declaration of Independence or the Virgina Bill of Rights, which are about equal rights. But then he wants women to be educated and believes "for it is the mother who first affects opinions". This goes against his hatred of the Declaration and equal rights. So while I like him for wanted women to be educated, I don't agree with him about others right whether they are slaves or not.
Also through the passage he brags about the south. He believes that the south is better than anywhere else, like it is a separate country from the rest of the states. He even compares the south to Europe. So although you start to hate George, he will then go and say something that you can't help agree with him on. He just seems like one of those people that even if you wanted to you can't hate.
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I completely agree with you when it comes to the work of George Fitzhugh. I felt his ideas were not organized whatsoever, and I found myself reading the same paragraphs over and over. Fitzhugh’s thoughts were very contradictive and I therefore could not make a generalization of his true feelings on things. I didn’t like George Fitzhugh’s ideas and I did not like George Fitzhugh on a personal level.
Yeah I feel the same way. Fitzhugh goes into different topics very thoroughly and leaves you feeling that you have to agree with him. I never really thought about the part with him not liking the Declaration of Independence and liking the idea of women's education. That was a good point. Does he or doesn't he want equal rights? Or maybe he just wants everyone to be equal except the slaves. The way he put things gets you thinking about his arguements a lot, but it's interesting how he kind of tricks you in areas like this.
I also agree with you, I really felt like Fitzhugh took some time to carefully word his ideas so to take a position where it is hard to attack him. And as you pointed out his contradictions make it hard to hear his ideas.
When I was reading your blog, the first paragraph really struck me. I began to think about racism, slavery, and humanity in general. I agree with the point you make in saying that racism isn't only about what color your skin is, but it's more about humanity in general. Slavery isn't right no matter what race the slaves or the slave owners are, the bottom line is that it's not the right way to treat anyone, period.
I think you are right when you say that it is hard to not like Fitzhugh but at the same time, you don't want to like him. I think this is because he sets up his argument in a logical way and backs up his points. Being pro-slavery and against racism is hard for us to wrap our minds around because we always associate slavery with black people. Good points.
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