What is buck breaking?

Buck breaking is a form of punishment and control used against enslaved African men during slavery in the United States. It involved the brutal and dehumanizing practice of sexually assaulting and raping enslaved men in front of other enslaved individuals to exert dominance and instill fear. This practice aimed to emasculate and break the spirit of enslaved men, stripping them of their dignity and autonomy.

The term "buck breaking" comes from the use of the word "buck" to refer to a male enslaved person, typically a strong and defiant individual. Enslaved men who resisted or displayed defiance were often targeted for buck breaking as a means of subjugating and disciplining them.

Buck breaking was a common practice on plantations and in slave markets, where enslaved men were subjected to sexual violence as a form of punishment and control. The perpetrators of buck breaking were typically white slave owners, overseers, or other powerful individuals who used sexual violence as a tool of oppression and domination.

The legacy of buck breaking continues to impact the descendants of enslaved Africans, creating lasting trauma and contributing to the ongoing cycle of intergenerational trauma and systemic oppression. It is important to acknowledge and confront this dark chapter in history to understand the deep-rooted impacts of slavery on individuals and communities.