Question

Which of the following is an effect of Douglass's allusion to the biblical story of the sons of Ham

a) it establishes Douglass as a religious man
b)it acknowledges the fact that slaves are cursed
c)it acknowledges that slaves are to be the descendants of Ham
d)it exposes the hypocrisy of religion and Christian supporters of slavery

Answer 1

D is the correct answer. In some interpretations of the Bible, the story of the Curse of Ham (or, more accurately, the Curse of Canaan, Ham’s son) is used to justify or explain slavery and racism against Black people, because having dark skin is the supposed curse.