Similarities Between Olaudah Equiano And The Amistad

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Slavery: A Topic of the Past, Present, and Future
Slavery has been a part of society since the beginning of human history. Civilization after civilization has conquered and enslaved the people of the native lands in which they then ruled. Slavery has been deeply ingrained within almost every culture, so it seems uncanny that no other instances of slavery have been studied more thoroughly and imparted to the rest of the world more fervently than that of the trans-Atlantic African slave trade. This phenomenon, as mentioned, seems astonishing at first glance; however, after delving into the underlying issues, causes, and subsequent heinous acts committed during this period of time, its significance does not seem uncanny at all. The barbaric nature …show more content…

Olaudah Equiano, the author of Equiano’s Travels, was born to the Igbo people in what is now modern day Nigeria. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery at the age of eleven. He starts off his autobiography by describing the ways in which his people lived. For example, he mentions generalizations of his community, “We are almost a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets.” and he also gives specific details, “Thus every great event such as a triumphant return from battle or other cause of public rejoicing is celebrated in public dances, which are accompanied with songs and music suited to the occasion” (Equiano, My Early Life in Eboe). The book goes on to describe how Equiano was kidnapped from his home, “when all our people were gone … two men and a woman got over our walls … seized us both, … stopped our mouths and ran off with us”, taken to the coast, “… after I had been kidnapped I arrived at the sea coast,” and sold into slavery (Equiano, Kidnapped). There are very few Africans who were able to give a first hand account of their experience that then was published for the world to read. This is harrowing to think because only one voice was heard amongst the millions who suffered the same treatment in silence. While this primary source is fantastic for first-hand factual information …show more content…

Equiano recounted himself, “The next day proved a day of greater sorrow than I had yet experienced, for my sister and I were then separated while we lay clasped in each other’s arms…. She was torn from me and immediately carried away … I cried and grieved continually and for several days did not eat anything” (Equiano, Kidnapped). This shows a true account of the despair Equiano felt when he was torn from his sister. Most people get caught up in the numerical values of the trans-Atlantic African slave trade, such as money or the number of people involved. While still important, the real issue that should be expounded upon is the cruel treatment and horrid situations that the Africans who were involved were forced to take part in. This book delves into the deepest part of the human psyche and shows the true cruelty of humanity. Another example of these cruelties is the slave ships that took part in the African slave trade. These ships are brushed aside and nearly forgotten when thinking of the many horrific things associated with this topic. It was revolutionary to the world when Equiano gave his first hand experience aboard one of the infamous slave ships. He recounted the odious conditions in which the slaves were kept, “I was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a salutation in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life…. I

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