The Inhumanity Of Slavery In 'Equiano'

The week narratives are scathing and tell the inhumanity of slavery in America and the barbarity of the masters.

I knew that the days of slavery were particularly horrible, but not to this extent. What is described in these stories is strictly shocking. Even though I did not live at that time I do not understand how anyone could commit such atrocities for such a long period with the consent of the law. What is more alarming is that the abolition of slavery took so long. These people did not have the slightest rights, they were separated from family and friends, without any identity, being beaten, humiliated and maimed for free. They had no more value than any cattle. In the end it seemed like they had no hope. However, the afflicted still saw a reason to tell their stories.

The text of Equiano is certainly a militant act, but it is also a diary, a story full of twists, encounters, and discoveries.

The man knew his story and illustrated all his "identities": Black African slave, traveler, self-made man and a figure of freedom.

The existence of Frederick Douglass was unusual because unlike most other slaves, he was "lucky" (if you can call it a chance.) to be promptly dispatched to the city, rather than remaining a prisoner of the farms. There, he learned to read and write, first with the help of a mistress who will end up changing her mind (and become less friendly at the same time). The education he received gave him the ability to open his eyes to the injustice of which he and his family was victims of. It is also this new vision of the world that will allow him to get by, despite the

trials.

When it comes to the narratives of the two women of the book: Mary Prince and Linda Brent, they make use of a feminist tone to tell us “Slavery is terrible for men," but "it is even more terrible for women." It was hard for me to read how they were separated from their families, sexually abused, beaten and went through all type of mistreatment and there was nothing that anyone could do about it. Not even their families could attempt to protect them. At the same time, their psychological and spiritual strength are depicted by their actions when they decide to walk away from slavery regardless of the many failed attempts. Also, it is obvious that religion was used to make the slaves accept their circumstances since the church could not even accept them in certain meetings or prayer without the approval of their masters (with Mary Prince story).

Indeed, these testimonies are of exceptional interest both politically and historically: political, since the nineteenth century struggled to achieve the end of historical slavery. Also, we are forced to hear the voices that were condemned to silence. The moving story of Olaudah Eqriuiano, Mary Prince, Frederick Douglass and Linda Brent reminds us that slavery is a crime against humanity.