On February 15, 1804, New Jersey passed a law to begin the ending of enslavement within the state. Key word: “begin.”
The law shaping the “gradual emancipation of slaves” actually dragged out for decades.
The 1804 act kept children born to the formerly enslaved in bondage until they were 15 years old for men, 21 years old for women. They were often made “apprentices” to their former enslavers, and were even still SOLD until 1827!
But the sinister process of “gradual emancipation” actually wasn’t unique to New Jersey, or even the U.S.
The Caribbean also had “apprenticeship” programs in order to “civilize” the ex-enslaved. They were designed to last several years. British, French, and Spanish colonizers even compensated enslavers millions of dollars EACH for “losing” enslaved Caribbeans.
But our people weren’t having it!
Black Caribbeans quickly realized gradual emancipation was NOT freedom. That includes the 8,000 ex-enslaved who lit plantations afire in St. Croix in 1848 – resulting in the Danish government canceling their apprenticeship program and officially declaring immediate emancipation the next DAY!
The truth is, reforms for currently existing systems like the criminal legal system have a similar ideology to gradual emancipation. White supremacy believes it can dictate when we are “worthy” enough to be free. But it will never have that right!