Or guides might initiate a discussion of slave names. Many owners insisted on...

Or guides might initiate a discussion of slave names. Many owners insisted on the right to name their newborn slaves-rather than allowing their parents this pleasure-and then deliberately gave them demeaning names or names that ironically invoked godlike figures from antiquity. George Washington, for instance, used Hercules, Paris-boy, Sambo, Sucky, Flukey, Doll, Suck Bass, Caesar, and Cupid. Most slaves received no last names. Guides could ask visitors to imagine the self-respect of black children under these conditions.

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