'Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume XI, North Carolina Narratives, Part 1' Summary

This book presents a collection of first-person narratives by former slaves in North Carolina, gathered by the Federal Writers Project in the 1930s. The volume offers a unique window into the realities of slavery from the perspective of those who lived through it. The narratives are remarkably diverse, covering a range of experiences, hardships, and triumphs. Readers encounter stories of harsh treatment, cruel punishments, and the constant threat of separation from family members. However, these narratives also reveal resilience, resourcefulness, and the deep longing for freedom. They describe the formation of strong familial bonds, the preservation of cultural traditions, and the unwavering hope for a better future. Through their own words, the former slaves paint a complex and poignant portrait of life under slavery and the transformative journey toward freedom.