Equiano_a_Self_Made_Man

Chelsea Zizza World Civ : Equiano Paper Dr. Grieco 2/22/2010 Equiano: a Self Made Man T here was quite a few circumstances that can be brought into account for Equianos gained freedom. Even though Equiano was a literate and intelligent free slave, he still has similarities and differences with other slaves. I do believe Equianos biography was published for a purpose, and was very crucial to the slave trade of the time in the 1700’s. This Biography was a very good layout of legitimately giving me an illustration of how life was for a real slave. I like to think of Equiano as a very lucky man. Given his time of living, his color, and the circumstances of the world at the time, he was very lucky to end up the way he did. There were many circumstances that should be taken account for when it comes to how he gained his freedom. It is relevant to say that Equiano bought his freedom. Not only did he buy his freedom, but he was also quite successful after his enslavement. It is also pertinent to say that Equiano was a slave, he lived as a slave for quite some time, therefore of course he will have similarities and differences with other slaves; given his accomplishments that followed him being a slave. There were quite a few similarities that were illustrated in the biography, that most definitely let us know Equiano was a slave. In the beginning we learn Equiano was kidnapped when he was just ten years old by African Kinsmen. Equiano was from a village called “Assaka”, he is said to be an Igbo. This region is now present day Nigeria. He was kidnapped while his parents were out, him and his sister taken by the kinsmen and sold into the African Slave trade. This was very common in Africa during this period of time, around the year 1755. From the African slave trade Equiano would soon become a victim of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. The book calls this the largest forced migration in history. I believe it to be obvious that none of the people who apart of this forced migration, wanted to be a part of it, by any means. That in its self I find to be one of the most common similarity of all the slaves that were sold. No one would choose to be a slave; taken from their families, homes, no one would choose that. These people in Africa were kidnapped, taken against their will; Equiano was one of these many unfortunate people. Many were also children kidnapped, just like Equiano. There were eleven million imported slaves imported to the American colonies in the 18th century, clearly many of them had to be children of adults who were forced into slavery. Like Equiano, many slaves were sold numerous times, to numerous people. These buyers were most commonly white European slave traders. After Equiano was altered a few times, he got to embark on the Trans Atlantic Slave trade; like I mentioned before the largest forced migration in history, with many other African people. Equiano was settled in the colony of Virginia. His first owner in Virginia was a man named Michael Pascal, a lieutenant in British Navy. Being the property of a Navy man, Equiano worked as a seamanship and traveled widely with his master. Here is where I consider beginning one of Equianos differences with other slaves. Equiano was one of Pascal’s favorites and sent to Britain to learn how to read and write. Most slaves were forbidden of this by their masters, they were strictly there do contribute to the life’s pleasures of the Europeans needs. Equiano was different here. He was given the opportunity to become literate. It was in Britain where Equiano was given permission to become a Christian. As I mentioned before, I think Equiano was a fortunate slave. His writings on page 25 and 26 seem happy to me. We also learn that the widow that bought him in this part of the book treated him as she did her own son. I feel like this was most likely very uncommon. Equiano was essentially given a sort of freedom even when he wasn’t free. Given his knowledge, and ability to write, (quite exceptionally if I don’t say so myself), Equiano was greatly very different and yet at the same time very similar to others slaves. All in all he was owned by a master, to his fortune at times kind ones, yet he still shares the most common attribute of all other slaves, he was forced into slavery, ripped from his family and sold for labor. This biography was definitely published for a purpose. It states this in the first few pages we read. It was published so Equiano could reach a more wider audience with his issues of controversy of opposing the trans Atlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery. People who read this biography were not aware that the man “Vassa” was an African named Equiano who was enslaved from Africa. No one knowing this shocked me. People thought he was from North Carolina, and Navy man. The time of the publishing of this biography was also no accident according to page two. T was published right around the same time that the abolishment of the slave became a popular cause. Equiano being a freed slave was very involved in this movement. He wanted people to know what things were like for slaves. He wanted people hundreds of years later to read his biography, and have an idea of what things were like during the the slave trade. I also think Equiano wanted to be the voice of the slaves who were not as fortunate as he was to be sold to owners who were generous in ways and let them try to make a life for themselves. Therefore this biography I consider to be very crucial to the slave trade. The whole book is about a man who made it. It reminds me of an inspirational speaker. Equiano was the inspirational speaker, the hope for all the slaves around the world. An example of this is on page three. It states that “Vassa” began to see a need for hid autobiography , so there could be written statements that could be used when the abolishment trails would take place. Equiano knew that the anti slave trade movement needed what he could supply, a story that was elaborate and explicit accounts of events that happened early in Africa to be seen by white observers and challenged that of others. Telling his story in his words would make people see that this slave trade was crude and horrible, and that Europeans could possibly be the most ignorant people in the world; just as they thought of the Africans. Equiano I believe knew he could use his voice to someday contribute to the abolishment of the slave trade. After have reading this biography I most certainly feel like Equianos main purpse was very clear to me. He wanted his voice heard, he wanted truth and meaning into what he knew was right (the abolishment of slavery). As I mentioned before I find this biography very inspirational. While reading it I was intrigued by the letters, and the detailed stories that were on the pages. After everything this man went through, he had all these horrible memories of tortures and things he had seen, he made a way for himself. He became free man. I would assume anyone of color, and I mean that in the up most respect; would find Equiano a type of hero. He related to over half the populations of the countries around the world. Yes he was fortunate, but yes he suffered greatly as well. This reading is going to be read forever, and to me that is what a hero is, someone who will live on in what they accomplished that was extremely relevant to our worlds past events, that shape us into what we are now. Equiano was a brilliant man in my eyes. He truly is an inspiration and a voice that everyone should know. He knew what he was doing, he knew he could make a difference, and he did just that with his autobiography. Equiano did what he had to do to get where we did, and I think that could be something to prove to people that everyone should be treated as equal. We are all people, with souls, and hearts, and the color of our skin should not be something that separates us from being equal to live in this world as we do. This biography was very factual and interesting. I feel like I successfully understand the purpose of Equiano the African a self made man.