Henry Blake, Freedman from Arkansas on sharecropping
“When we worked on shares, we couldn’t make nothing, just overalls and something to eat. Half went to the other man and you would destroy your half, if you weren’t careful. A man that didn’t know how to count would always lose. He might lose anyhow. They didn’t give no itemized statement. No, you just had to take their word. They never give you no details. No matter how good account you kept, you had to go by their account… you better not leave him, you better not try to leave and get caught. They’d keep you in debt…Anything that kept you a slave because he was always right and you were always wrong if there was a difference.”
Question 1
What was a common outcome for sharecroppers according to the quote?(1 point)
Responses
They earned a large profit
They earned a large profit
They were provided with detailed account statements
They were provided with detailed account statements
They received fair treatment from landowners
They received fair treatment from landowners
They often ended up owing more than they earned
They often ended up owing more than they earned
Question 2
Why did some sharecroppers feel trapped according to the quote?(1 point)
Responses
They were given the freedom to leave whenever they pleased
They were given the freedom to leave whenever they pleased
They were guaranteed fair wages for their work
They were guaranteed fair wages for their work
They were caught in a cycle of debt and poverty
They were caught in a cycle of debt and poverty
They received clear explanations for their debts