“Africans, listen carefully to me. You can rest on Saturday, on Monday, every day of the week, if you want. You are completely free. But you have to eat and clothe yourselves” (140)
Polverel reveals the cold truth to freed slaves: they still have to work. Africans were excited and couldn’t believe their new freedoms. Some tested it by not working Saturdays, Sundays, or even the whole week. They realize that it’s a big problem. Although they’re free of the white man, it doesn’t mean that they are free of labor. Everyone had to work just to survive, even the whites!. So with men not working, how are they going to care for themselves or more importantly, their families? Polverel explains that they are in control of themselves and in their work. They need to provide for their wives and children. There needs to be food, clothing, and a house to live in. Africans now have the opportunity to raise their own crops or livestock for personal benefit. African are now free, but not free from work. Days off are nice, but the more days off taken, the less money is made. These men can now ultimately decide whether or not to work hard enjoy life’s gifts and pleasures. When enslaved, these men were just given enough clothes and food to survive. Now is their opportunity to work hard and live a more meaningful life. With the Emancipation Proclamation, there is a new wave of men facing their experiences with freedom, both humanely and financially.
I agree with what you said about Polverel quote: “Africans, listen carefully to me. You can rest on Saturday, on Monday, every day of the week, if you want. You are completely free. But you have to eat and clothe yourselves”. He means that though the Africans can do whatever they want now that they have freedom it is not smart for them to stop working if they want to have a comfortable life for themselves, their wives, and their children. Another interesting topic in this document is that the Africans are starting to make their gardens larger. To Polverel this is unnecessary and thinks there is no draw back to taking away these gardens. In spite of this he still thinks the Africans should keep their gardens but just not make them any larger then they were previously.