ut the code was enforceable at the discretion of the white prosecutors whose contempt and arrogance toward the slaves was a matter of course. 'Slavery was a system that robbed them of the most basic of all things-their humanity, the recognition before law and before society of their status (and consequent rights) as free, social individuals.' (Fick 36). The African slaves united in a cultural identity and religious beliefs by a sacred and religious dance of voodoo. Although forbidden by the whites, voodoo parties were common and united the blacks to the point that laws were passed to prevent "indecent and lascivious postures which make up this dance" and to prevent insurrection. (Fick 41). But the slaves who held on to voodoo as the only medicine that appeased the pains of the chains and the psychological degradation of their dignity never stopped their voodoo.The first sign of resistance to slavery were armed revolts in the ships used to transport the slaves from Africa. The second sign of resistance to slavery became suicide. This became a way to free the body from the atrocities, and free the spirit to go back to Africa. The third sign of resistance was poisoning other blacks and murder of slave children by their own. This became a way to free the children from a life of slavery. All these extreme measures were merely viewed by the white man as economic losses and they were right as the poisonings were literally aimed at maiming the white patron's position and plans of expansion. Marronnage or escape to the inaccessible areas of the island was the next slave resistance, which saw bands of slaves leave bondage for an often uncertain future in the jungle, reminiscent of today's guerrillas. They were compelled to live off the land or to pillage the neighboring plantations to ensure subsistence.The little whites were also under the financial yoke and were staging their own revolt. When the little whites staged their final revolt ...
