Price of a Child Essay

Mikaela Cottrill
Price of a Child
English 3
Mr. Fiorini

August 12, 1855

Dear Suzy,

I want to start off by saying how much I appreciate you taking care of my baby boy, Bennie. This has been a very unreal situation, and I still cannot believe I let myself walk away into freedom without him. Although it is probably the hardest decision I will have had to make in my life, I do believe I made the right choice. Without my walking away, I never would have achieved freedom, and now that I have that, I plan on somehow, someway, getting my baby boy back.

But first I have to know, how is my little Bennie doing? I’m sure he’s fine, seeing as The Bat will probably make sure he’s in good health. As if I would ever follow her judgment, you know I will only trust yours. Besides his health, I want to know how he’s feeling. I hope he doesn’t feel as if me, and his siblings, have abandoned him. The chance of freedom was very unexpected, and we had to seize it as fast as we could. Please tell him we are going to try everything in our power to get him back, to his rightful and loving family. Is he eating ok, and does he have proper clothing? I cannot stand it that I am not there to help him, to sooth him if he’s scared or nervous. To help him with any problem he may have. I love him very much, it’s almost unbearable to stay away from him, but I know I have to, to raise money somehow so I can buy his freedom. Please tell me how he is doing Suzy, I’m in so much pain not knowing.

Along with becoming free, I’ve decided to talk to people up here in the North. You know about slavery, and stuff. They are very interested about it, and many people up here are against it. It’s so nerve racking standing in front of all these people, telling them of my memories, and stories, and the horrors of it all. They ask so many questions, whether it’s to talk about whippings, or daily chores, or even other slaves. They like to know all of the gritty details. I’m not sure if I should be completely honest with them, I’m not sure if they can handle it. People never realize how terrible the situations are until someone tells them a horrible story. The images people depict are enough to make people cringe in their seats, and thank God they were never in that situation. As for the ones who were in that situation, well, it brings back memories. Telling my memories, my stories… It gives me a great sense of pride. Pride, that I am able to get out there and help fight against slavery, and help fight against the people like Pryor, and other terrible slave masters, who don’t deserve to call themselves human beings. To defy all the rules I was forced to obey, to have people look at me like a human, rather than a tool, or a just an object.

It’s strange, you know. Sometimes it still hasn’t hit me that I’m free. Free. No more masters, or doing jobs I hate, or even worse, being alone with my master. Well actually, my old master. No one is my master now. It’s just me and my children, how it should be, together. The only thing needed is my baby boy Bennie. As I said before, I WILL do everything in my power to get him back. No one will stand in the way of me and my son. Again, Suzy I thank you very, very, much for taking care of my son, and I love and miss you. You’ve done so much for me already, and some day I hope to repay you. Please write back whenever you can, I’m hoping to hear about Bennie as soon as possible.

All My Love,
Mercer Gray