“The psychological damage done to whipped slaves was perhaps worse than the physical pain” (Currie 47). If a person was not born a slave, they were forced to become one. Slaves were usually captives on the losing side of a battle; even the families of defeated soldiers could be reduced to slavery. People also sold their children to pay off large debts. Once a slave was captured, it required a journey to survive. They were transported in large cargo ships called slave ships. Here they would travel for up to months while suffering mental and physical abuse. On board, each slave was stripped and inspected by the captain or a surgeon. The men were pushed below deck and tied with very painful leg irons. Sometimes they weren't even able to move or stand, they were too crowded together. Women and children were kept in different sections of the ship. Sometimes they were left on the deck of the ship to move around. However, this often resulted in sexual abuse from the crew. On good weather days, slaves were awakened at mid-morning to exercise on deck. Usually, slaves were fed twice a day, but if they refused to eat, they were force-fed (“Life” 2-3). Additionally, the appalling hygienic conditions meant they were constantly at risk of being infected with diseases. A harmless illness could easily become fatal on a slave ship, and if a slave died, their corpse would be thrown overboard. When a slave ship arrived, many posters and advertisements were plastered everywhere. The slaves were then transferred to pens and cleaned to make them more attractive. They were also covered in grease, even tar, to appear healthy. After all, the healthier the sla...... middle of paper ......ites is. They had separate bathrooms, water fountains, and even medical care and restaurants. Blacks and whites lived together, but apart. Abolitionists also played an important role in ending slavery. These include well-known figures like Harriet Tubman who lead countless slaves to freedom time and time again. Other important abolitionists were William Lloyd Garrison, as well as Arthur and Lewis Tappan, who formed the American Anti-Slavery Society. They spoke out to try to convince whites that slavery was inhumane and created numerous petitions in hopes of ending slavery forever. Slavery was definitely a learning period for the United States. Americans have learned not to degrade other human beings, especially those of different races. Although some racism still exists today, Americans as a whole have come a long way from slavery and segregation to acceptance and equality..