George Washington threatened to hang slaves for having dogs
The Black History lesson you'll definitely never learn in schools about the former president
Writer’s note: The following post was first published on Black Girl In a Doggone World™. Click here to read the full version.
I lost count of the amount of times people asked me about my second dog, a German Shepherd, during the nine years she was alive. I watched Black folks dart across the street to get away from her. (Interestingly, when I walked a couple of Pits and Pit mixes, I noticed Hispanic men paid more attention to me and wanted to pet the dogs.)
While both dogs are constantly categorized as aggressive, the reactions are what intrigue me. This entire time, I thought the problematic history of dogs and Black people was linked to Civil Rights advocates being attacked by police animals. I had no idea that there was a slavery link also banning Black people from even owning dogs before Jim Crow.
In yet another reason (besides being a slaveowner) that I’m unimpressed by former President George Washington’s birthday on February 22, I’ve come to learn that he was banning Black people from owning dogs. The audacity of this guy. I’ll never respect him. I didn’t as a child and definitely don’t as an adult.
If any negro presumes under any pretence whatsoever, to preserve, or bring one into the family, that he shall be severely punished, and the dog hanged. I was obliged to adopt this practice whilst I resided at home, and from the same motives, that is, for the preservation of my Sheep and Hogs; but I observed when I was at home last that a new set of dogs was rearing up, & I intended to have spoke about them, but one thing or another always prevented it. It is not for any good purpose Negros raise, or keep dogs; but to aid them in their night robberies; for it is astonish to see the command under which their dogs are. I would no more allow the Overseers than I would the Negros, to keep Dogs — One, or at most two on a Plantation is enough. The pretences for keeping more will be various, & urgent, but I will not allow more than the above notwithstanding.
-Racist President George Washington (December 16, 1792) (Source: National Archives)
Presidents’ Heads: Lighting or karma?
I still find it convenient that a Williamsburg, Virginia site stopped creating those Presidents’ Heads. The 44th president came along and suddenly investors didn’t want to invest an additional $60,000 to create a bust of President Barack Obama after he was elected in 2008. In September 2010, after lightning struck and the faces of pre-Obama presidents were crumbling, with bird droppings piling on their heads, the park closed. Karma.
A small part of me wonders if money would’ve miraculously shown up to add busts of former President Joe Biden or that poorly tanned Trump. Maybe, maybe not. But I’m no more impressed by those head busts in Virginia than I am Mount Rushmore.
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From slavery anti-dog-owning laws to Jim Crow attack dogs
I grudgingly understand the issue with dogs. No, I don’t mean Washington’s horrendously stupid take that Black people will be participating in “night robberies.” (Imagine being someone who participated in stealing millions of people only to then accuse those same people of being thieves. The irony!) But after being a dog owner three times, specifically with my current dog who already saved my life once, I already know how much a loving dog will guard you against all danger.
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