It's a terrible reality, but it remains true. According to Douglass, “there are seventy-two crimes in the State of Virginia which, if committed by a black man (however ignorant he may be), subject him to the penalty of death; whereas only two of the same crimes will subject a white man to the same punishment” (Douglass, 2011, p. 780). There was no reason behind this mistreatment other than hatred. Compared to our other discussions on this topic, "The Autobiography of Black Hawk" comes to mind. He also expressed somewhat of the same sentiments as Douglass when he said, "White people can do evil all their lives, and then if they are sorry for it when they die, all is well!" But with us it is different: we must continue throughout our lives to do what we consider to be good.” Neither Douglass nor Black Hawk could understand why it was acceptable for white people to do whatever they wanted, but for others it was seen as anything but good. Finally, the government was unjust because of the need to treat black men like animals rather than like men. During slavery, the high level of cruelty toward slaves made humans appear to be animals and were often referred to as such. Douglass did not like the way the laws referred to slaves as “beasts of the field” (Douglass, 2011, p.780). He found it ridiculous that, when it came to law, the term "man »”