- Introduction:
- Setting the Stage: Introduce the story of Frank Bell as a painful but necessary recounting of black history.
- Importance of Truth: Emphasize the significance of sharing the brutal truths of slavery beyond superficial representations.
- Frank Bell’s Early Life:
- Birth into Slavery: Detail Frank Bell’s birth in New Orleans around 1850.
- Life Under Johnson Bell: Describe the violent and brutal conditions under his owner, Johnson Bell, including forced labor and severe punishment.
- Daily Horrors:
- Living Conditions: Explain Frank’s deplorable living conditions, lack of food, clothing, and constant chaining.
- Exposure to Violence: Discuss the violence Frank witnessed and was forced to participate in, such as disposing of bodies.
- Moments of Humanity:
- Marriage and Tragedy: Share the brief moments of love Frank experienced with his wife and the horrific end she met at Johnson Bell’s hands.
- Continued Brutality: Describe the continued beatings and chains after his wife’s murder.
- Civil War and Aftermath:
- War’s Impact: Explain how Johnson Bell evaded fighting in the Civil War and continued to enslave Frank even after the war ended.
- False Promises: Detail the false promises of pay and the continued exploitation until Bell’s death.
- Life Post-Bell:
- Fear of Freedom: Discuss Frank’s fear and psychological trauma after Bell’s death, leading to his initial reluctance to leave New Orleans.
- Torment and Arrest: Highlight his continued torment and eventual arrest, leading to forced labor under the convict leasing system.
- Convict Leasing System:
- Transformation of Slavery: Explain how the convict leasing system replaced slavery, continuing to exploit black bodies for labor.
- Frank’s Experience: Describe Frank’s experience under convict leasing, further illustrating the brutal conditions.
- Later Life and Stability:
- Finding Stability: Discuss Frank’s later life, finding some stability through marriage and work, yet always haunted by his past.
- Federal Writers’ Project: Introduce the project that recorded Frank’s story and its significance in preserving black history.
- Frank Bell’s Narrative:
- Personal Account: Share the key elements of Frank’s narrative, emphasizing the resilience and strength required to survive such brutality.
- Historical Context: Place Frank’s story within the broader context of the millions who suffered similarly.
- Conclusion:
- Legacy of Trauma: Reflect on the enduring legacy of slavery and its impact on black people today.
- Importance of Remembering: Stress the importance of remembering and telling these stories to understand the ongoing struggles and resilience of black communities.
By recounting Frank Bell’s harrowing life, we honor the truth of black history, acknowledging the deep scars left by slavery and the unyielding strength of those who endured.