If you haven't encountered the term “drapetomania” before, you're not alone. This so-called disease, which never actually existed, was a creation of the Antebellum South. Many people at the time believed in its validity despite its dubious nature.
A prominent Southern physician coined the term “drapetomania” in 1851. It combines Greek words meaning “runaway” and “madness” and was defined as “the disease causing Negroes to run away.”
Dr. Samuel Cartwright, the first president of the Mississippi State Medical Society and a prominent figure in 19th-century Southern medicine, was behind this concept. Cartwright, known for his staunch white supremacist views, introduced “drapetomania” in a paper titled “Diseases and Peculiarities of the Negro Race.” In it, he described the desire of enslaved individuals to escape as a mental illness and even proposed “treatments” for it.
Cartwright’s description of drapetomania and his suggested remedies are deeply unsettling but serve as an important historical document. They reveal how even purportedly benevolent treatment of enslaved people was often deeply rooted in racism. The notion that “not all slaveholders were harsh” tries to downplay the brutal reality of slavery. However, Cartwright's explanation underscores that “care” frequently overlapped racial prejudices.
Here's Cartwright's original text on drapetomania:
“DRAPETOMANIA, OR THE DISEASE CAUSING NEGROES TO RUN AWAY.
Our medical community is unfamiliar with this condition, although its main symptom, running away, is well-known among planters and overseers… This disease, not previously classified, required a new term. The tendency of enslaved people to escape is as much a mental disorder as any other form of mental illness and is generally more treatable. With proper medical intervention, this troublesome tendency to flee can be primarily prevented, even if the enslaved people are near a free state or abolitionists.
If a white person tries to contradict what they believe to be divine will by treating an enslaved person as an equal or by abusing their power, the enslaved person may flee. However, if they remain submissive and are treated kindly, they will not escape.
From my experience, if enslaved individuals are not shown the proper deference, they will become unruly and might run away. Those who lost enslaved people did so either by treating them too equally or by being excessively cruel. Dissatisfaction among enslaved people should be addressed promptly to prevent escape. They are easier to manage if treated with kindness, proper food, clothing, and living conditions. Should they attempt to assert themselves as equals, they must be disciplined to maintain their submissive state.”
The notion that enslaved individuals would seek freedom for personal liberty—a concept central to American ideals—never occurred to Cartwright. His paper is manipulative, falsely framing white supremacy as divine will and calculating how to maintain control over enslaved people under the guise of benevolence.
Cartwright’s credentials, including his education at the University of Pennsylvania, highlight that racism can be perpetuated through supposedly educated and rational arguments, not just ignorance.
This history is particularly relevant today. With extensive resources available to understand the harsh realities of slavery, it's disheartening to see attempts to limit education on the subject. The idea that runaway slaves were considered mentally ill might only receive superficial treatment in history books. A deeper exploration into how respected figures propagated such views is crucial.
Understanding these historical misconceptions is essential to fully grasp the complexities of American history and its ongoing implications.