Slave Narrative of Joseph Samuel Badgett
Joseph Samuel Badgett, born in 1864 in Dallas County, Arkansas, recounts his experiences and observations as a former slave. He describes his mother’s pride, her struggles with the pateroles, and the scars she bore from being whipped for not having a pass. Badgett remembers the social dynamics of post-Civil War society and the limited educational opportunities available to him. He emphasizes the distinctions between groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Jayhawkers, reflecting on the importance of understanding the past for younger generations.