Masters complained that many of their slaves were chronic shirkers.

When slaves dragged their feet while working, it was seen as evidence of their inferiority.

When white union workers behave similarly, it is labeled a slowdown.
Other slaves appear to have indulged in deliberate mischief, trampling down crops, breaking tools, and abusing livestock.

A southern physician, Dr.Cartwright, concluded that this behavior was symptomatic of a mental disease peculiar to Africans.

He labeled the disease Dysaethesia Aethiopica and insisted that masters were wrong in thinking that it was merely rascality.