To dehumanize and break the morale of a slave would keep their mind off rebellion and organization, and without an education it was impossible for slaves to communicate ideas. Dehumanization played a large role in slavery and subsequently in polluting the minds of white owners. There were countless physical and mental tactics that owners used in order to dominate the lives of blacks. Douglas describing the {I simplest being many slaves didn't even know their own age. .. .the larger part of slaves know as little of their ages as horses know theirs. The white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege.\" (Gates 339) Douglas describing how he didn't know his name wasn't very affecting at first, but continues on to make a powerful correlation. As he relates his experience to that of an animal, and then to how a child holds such a basic right over him for seemingly no