Slave Auctioning Process

After spending time searching through many areas of the internet I have come across many interesting facts regarding Cheapside’s dark, but intriguing past. Due to the state of Kentucky’s location slavery was an extremely prominent way of life for most African Americans. Specifically in Kentucky, there was the town of Lexington. Lexington became known as the largest slave-trading locality in the state. Cheapside was also known as one of the most well known of the slave market districts in the South.
The process of auctioning a human being was not only wrong, but horrible to watch. Slave auctions could be compared to the type of art auctions we have today. The “item” is placed on a platform and those who are bidding raise their hands or paddles as the bid increases. Although unlike in art auctions it is not a auction of material things, but human beings. The men who were organizing the slave auction at hand would bring the auction to order then force wither men, women, or even infants up onto a platform to be sold. Slave auctions often broke up many families and loved ones. Although at some auctions, what could be thought of as “humanity” were sometimes displayed. The auctioneers would sometimes say that the slaves currently on the platform were to be sold as a “family.” That is to say; a man would not be parted from his wife, or a mother from a very young child. Once a slave was sold they were now the property of another human being. Not only were their actions controlled, but every aspect of their personal lives as well. They were to always do as they were told without question. Needless to say this particular way of life was wrong and unjust. As a result the Civil War occurred.

Racism in Regards to Cheapside

While researching "Cheapside" I cannot steer away from the idea of "racism."  Although segregation and such things as the "Jim Crow Laws", no longer exist, racism even in disguise, still exists today.  Racism shows it's face in present day situations everyday.  Many people who display acts of racism are majorily influenced by their family or peers.  Although the purpose of my essay is not to solely discuss the issue of "racism", but to show how Cheapside's past has evolved over time into what it currently is today.  "Racism" surely is a major molding factor in Cheapside's past.  And even though racism is not as prominent today as it was one hundred fifty years ago. Is it still is effecting Cheapside's present day aura?  How can Lexington hold festivals and celebrations in an area that caused so many people so much pain?  Also do you feel that it is right to preserve an area that has such a dark past?  As well as how does the Lexington community feel about Cheapside and it's past?  As far as the history of Cheapside goes, it began as a site for slave auctions.  During the time before the Civil War, the buying and selling of slaves was more common than you can imagine.  Seeing as how Kentucky's location, more specifically Lexington's location, is in the south.  Racism and segregation was extremely prominent.  It seemed as though the further south you went, the stronger racism was.  In order to create a somewhat type of time line in the essay I will use various types of resources.  For example, the Lexington Herald Leader as well as Lexington's history museum and all that it has to offer.

Introduction

For this essay I chose to explore the controversial past and present time of ”Cheapside.” This particular place is of great interest to me because of my family history. The earliest members of my family were from the Deep South. The state of Georgia, to be specific. I have learned that we owned a plantation, which unfortunately required the use of slaves. Therefore the selling of and buying of slaves has always be an interesting topic for me. I do not know much about “Cheapside” specifically. All that I do know is that here in Lexington, it served has the main place to buy and sell slaves. It also still stands today. I have never personally been to Cheapside, but those who have, tell me that it is quite a moving experience. I am told that sometimes some festivals or events in Lexington are held at Cheapside. Which I feel is a very controversial thing to do. How can something that symbolized such an awful act hold such present day activities as if it never happened? I would like to find out the history of Cheapside as well as situations that occurred there. To do that I would need to do deep research and hopefully find someone who has some form of a direct connection with Cheapside. My only concern about this project is that hopefully I will not turn this essay into a research paper. Therefore I will try to include more personal experiences and personal interviews to steer away from giving my essay the feeling of “research.” My goals for this essay are to branch out of a world that is familiar to me. Coming from New Jersey I never has to deal with much racism in my life. Although in the south it still does exist, unfortunately. By writing this essay I will be forced to come into contact with a world unfamiliar to me.