The overseer has gone. Paul said he was costing Master too much money. The new overseer is weaker. The women shout things at him and he just laughs. I say the same things but don't know what they mean. My mother would be ashamed. He does not seem to notice when we work slowly but I am sure master will. We should be careful.
The overseer was the person who supervised the slaves while they worked. He was usually white but some were promoted slaves who were often as cruel as the white overseers.
Shouting insults and working slowly were just two forms of resistance. Others included:
In the last years of slavery more black people were given positions of responsibility and authority. It was hoped that this would help reduce resistance.