This is an online journal for Mr. Lucero's English classes. Students should leave their responses to weekly prompts as comments. Their responses will be graded twice a month.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
English III Journal #2
How do you account for the depth of human cruelty described in parts of this autobiography? What current world events reveal similar horrors and violations of human rights? How would Olaudah Equiano see the United States in 2013?
Aziza Crowder The depth of human cruelty described in parts of the autobiography are absolutely appalling to me. How a human being could rip a person of a different color away from their country, home, and friends. Olaudah had to be careful when making bonds because he would be sold and shipped off to the next slave master faster than he could exchange words with an unknown face. There were times where the sick reality of slavery for a moment would disperse because a sliver of happiness would appear and while it lasted he would grasp on tightly to it. The slave ship was even worse for him. He saw people he didn't know but felt their pain as the whip was dragged across their dinged backs. At times he refused to eat but that wouldn't settle well with the white people. He had to go through so much just for being a stranger. However, in the U.S. although there aren't many horrors or violations of human rights but events like the Trayvon trial, and the incident at Fruitvale Station seem to me the rare violation of human rights. In both cases the victims were black and the people who killed them were white cops. Most people would point out the race in these cases, and how the white cops never really did get a fair jail time. The boys were shot just for looking a certain way and without even a question were shot down by a cop. Olaudah would see the United States as a nice place where blacks lived freely, peacefully, and among other rich ethnic groups. He would see the improvements that came along with time and wisdom. Although he would frown on some of the injustices, like the cases I earlier mentioned, he would overall be satisfied with how things have changed for the better of his people.
Mariana Ponce The depth of human cruelty described in parts of the autobiography made realize that there is a world beyond what we are living in.In other words it made me penitent about the place we are in. The way any human being could be yet so blithe and careless about anyone but their own kind devastated me. The separation of Olaudah's family was desolate and tore him apart. While being on the slave ship he watched others be whipped and or pushed around. Luckily it wasn't him but he still felt scold by them which led him to refuse to eat. Although we don't come across racism in our country as much anymore, we do encounter situations that horror and violate human rights. For example, recently a African American family was driven out of the Orange County after they had just moved to Yorba Linda. The family was tortured and threatened while at home and out in the streets. The family couldn't believe what was happening to them. They thought it was unreal because they believe that, that stage of life was over. Another example is the case of Trayvon he was brutally shot, not for starting a huge chaos but for being who he was. But it isn't just African Americans who come across situation like this; its everyone. Luckily, cases like these are more rare than before.Furthermore, Olaudah would see the United States today as a more equal and better place. He would feel better about who he is and what he would be able to do. He would realize sooner or later that things have tried to ameliorate despite of some events that still don't better us.
In Olaudah Equiano's autobiography, he explains his experiences with human cruelty. In his narrative, it seemed that whenever he thought that things couldn't have gotten any worse he was continually brought down. In some parts of the story, he gave the impression that he was somewhat getting situated with whatever condition he was in, but then out of the blue he would be taken away once again. From the beginning of the story he was always moving. When he was captured with his sister and taken away from the rest of his family, they tried their best to stick together; however, they unfortunately got split up. Upset by the separation of the only family that Olaudah had left, he lost all hope. Another brutal experience that he had faced was his time on the slave ship. Along with a hundred others, Olaudah was kept in the bottom of a ship that was absolutely horrendous. Chained up side-by-side, they were cramped and miserable. They were treated poorly, forced to eat food that was barely edible, and had to suffer the harshest of conditions. The setting of the ship was so appalling that some slaves would hop over board than be on the ship. The fact that they would sacrifice themselves than be on the boat explains how gruesome it was to be onboard. Although people today are more civilized than in Olaudah's time, it doesn't mean that the world is completely in peace. Some current events that violate human rights are the Russian Anti-Gay Law and the Trayvon Martin Case. The laws that the Russian government had passed was targeted and limited the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. It prohibited the propaganda of homosexuality to minors and gay parades. By allowing this act, they aren't allowing people to be themselves and express how they feel therefore violating their rights. Similarly, the Trayvon Martin case also disregarded human rights. In this event, Trayvon Martin, an African-American adolescent was unfairly shot by a police officer, George Zimmerman. He was shot out of suspicion and wasn't even given a chance of explanation. Despite this, Zimmerman was determined not guilty. Today, I think that Olaudah Equiano would see the world as a better place. We have actually made a lot of change compared to the world before. We have become more civilized as people and equality is slowly being achieved despite some setbacks. All in all, Olaudah Equiano would see the United States as a better place.
The Autobiography of Olaudah Equiano gives insight on some of the most brutal episodes of slavery. Human cruelty in general is a violation of equal human rights, but this autobiography displays one of the more harsh cases of discrimination. There is no excuse for the way humans were used as slaves; ripped from their homes and thrown into a completely new world only to be tied to a lifetime contract of labor. Olaudah was kidnapped and brought into slavery as a young child, but despite being a slave, he was treated fairly and at one point, as an equal to his masters. His experience traveling through the Middle Passage to work in the West Indies was something he never experienced before. The misery, depression, hopelessness, and cruelty deflated his spirits and made him wish he were never born. If Olaudah were brought into modern day United States, I presume that he would be pleased about the matter regarding the abolition of slavery. Even though slavery has been illegal for decades, there are still many cases of discrimination and racism. People are judged and looked down upon for their looks, nationality, as well as skin color. Olaudah would be displeased and disgusted at the mindset that has overshadowed a percentage of the American population.
The autobiography of Olaudah Equiano focused on slavery and how cruel it is. It made me notice how badly people were treated as slaves and how they saw their lives while being slaves. It is so harsh how people think they can separate innocent people from their families like it is nothing. Everyone has rights and should be treated the same. I don’t understand how a human being can treat another human being so poorly just for their skin color. The United States isn’t the same as it was back when there were slaves. Although, some people are still cruel and there is a lot of racism, such as, the killing of Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin was a teenager and he was shot by a white person because he was seen as suspicious. The teenager wasn’t doing anything bad, he was just shot because of his race and how he dressed. Overall I believe Olaudah Equiano would be slightly satisfied from the United States now in 2013. He would still see racism and crimes, but it is nothing compared to slavery and what he lived through.
Diogo Holanda In Olaudah Equiano’s Autobiography, It gave me another example of how cruel slavery was and how it could really destroy anyone’s life. Especially his and how he was taken away from his family and from his life. All his human rights were violated and it shows how some people can be so cruel and heartless. I can’t imagine the feeling of being robbed of my life and losing all my rights just because of my skin color, so I all my respect to Olaudah for having to experience such harsh treatments. A current event that violated a humans right was the shooting of Oscar Grant who was shot just because of his skin tone when was he unarmed and innocent. If Olaudah were to be living in the United States in 2013 he would be glad to see that slavery doesn't exist and is illegal and that no one will ever experience what he went through ever again. How ever he would disappointed to see some of the discrimination that still occurs.
How do you account for the depth of human cruelty described in parts of this autobiography? What current world events reveal similar horrors and violations of human rights? How would Olaudah Equiano see the United States in 2013?
Paul Perilla
Equiano's autobiography features human cruelty without conscience. His autobiography tells a story about the brutality that he experienced. Equiano's most hurtful experience was being separated by his family. Let alone being stolen from the habitat that they've gotten used to and grown since they were born, they were thrown into a slave ship, a transportation that smells worst that a sewer, and separated away from their family. The discrimination described in Equiano's autobiography is just too harsh to think about. Even doing such things to animals would be a devil's work. Without looking at it in the African's perspective, the Whites treated them like worthless humans. People who have the same two feet, two hands, body, etc. They didn't care to think that they were humans like them. Only difference is their skin color. Despite the racism that still lives today, there are other human rights today that are violated, such as marrying another human who have the same sex as theirs. Still human, still have two feet and two hands, but discriminated because they're gay and it's "abnormal". Just because they're attracted to the same sex as theirs, and just because they have different skin colors, it does not mean we have to treat them any different that everyone else. If Olaudah Equiano were alive today, he would be a freeman, but he would write not an autobiography, but a book that's as thick as the phone book about the cruelty that still lives on today. The people who kills the innocents for no reason would be a chapter in the book for sure. The terrorism in the work today would make Eqiano lose his mind. Equiano would see the United States today as a better place however, but he will for sure never forget the discriminations that he experienced.
albert felix In Olaudah Equiano’s Autobiography, they touch most on slavery in ways that cant be truly explained just by a history teacher. to have someone actually go through slavery and tell it so vividly, it really creates a picture in my mind that changes my whole perspective of what i thought happened. slavery will truly mess with someones mind that cant be explained. all of his rights were stripped away from people that he didn't even know. to be real if i went through all that he when threw i would be an entirely different person. he see's the u.s as like a foreign land that want too similar to his home land but he finds certain things the same as they were in his home country. the our current world their are actually 27 million slaves in the world today in small places like south america, africa, china, and india. its sad to know that slavery are still in the world today. the united states want to bud in on every war they can get on bud they wont go anywhere near things that can help people which is kinda strange? well, i guess theres no justice for those who died, was tortured, and sold. he would be so upset to be revived and still, so many years later and things still haven't changed.
The depth of human cruelty explained by Olaudah Equiano is painful and very well describe. It makes the reader actually visualize the pain that the author experienced. It explained the way he was ripped apart from his loved ones. While reading the autobiography, I felt some of the pain like if I could actually visualize it. The pain that the author experienced was harsh and I surely don’t want to go through that. Being separated from your loves ones is like breaking your heart and identity into pieces that can never be rebuilt again. Slave trade was a big part of history but is surely affected a lot of people and even though not every slave made an autobiography, we have at least one that we can learn from. Even today people still violate human rights. For example, Nike has little kids working in a foreign country to make their products and paying them a low salary. That should not be acceptable but people don't know about it or don't really pay attention to that. Nike just uses kids to make them rich and its against human rights but it seems like one cares about that. Its another human cruelty. If Olaudah Equiano was alive, he would see the United States as a free country for mostly everyone. Most of the human rights aren’t violated in the United States and there isn't slavery anymore.Also that everyone has the right to be educated and go to college. The only thing that he can still relate to is that most young black African American people are always seen as bad and unintelligent. I think Olaudah Equiano would like seeing this world not violating human rights and that everyone in this community has a voice no matter their color.
The severe depth of human cruelty in Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography cannot be justified; there is absolutely no reason why anybody should go through what African Americans have gone through. However the accountability of these slaveholders being so cruel is because they didn’t give African American slaves a chance to prove they to be legitimate human beings in the slaveholders eyes, so slave holders always saw their slaves as lesser. With that mentality and apply that thinking to anything and your just bound to cause a major problem. A current world event such as workers in Bangladesh being denied wages of $100 a month is a perfect example of people being denied their human rights, the fact that dozens were injured is a smaller scale of the horrors of demanding you basic rights. Imagine if these Bangladesh people were being denied something bigger such as their freedom of speech, what do you think will happen when the innocent and blithe child disappears for a claim he doesn’t even know the meaning of. Equiano would see the United States as a wonderful and full of freedom place, if he were a blind man. Although slavery is long over and nothing is on the rise to become like it, the United States still has a multitude of problems such as gang violence, bullying, unemployment rates, economic and financial struggles. If were to have somehow remove the harshness of slavery you could see the economical innocence from Americas wealth, you wouldn’t have to worry about loosing your job, or house, or other countries economical decisions effecting you at all. The time that Equiano lived in was a true key component to the structure that makes the United States, united.
The depth of human cruelty described in parts of Oaludah Equiano’s autobiography explained the history of America. The events written in his autobiography about slavery told me how brutal and harsh a person can be to another. Equiano’s autobiography tells us stories that sadden everyone, and to me, it is more than saddening. We all are taught in History that the Europeans brought Africans over as a source of labor, but we were never taught how harsh the conditions were when they were brought over. They were first caught by their own people, put on disgusting ships for months, and finally they were sold into labor. When people were capturing Africans and sending them over to America, they never thought that they were human. Africans were treated as living cargo and slave traders had to keep them alive by whipping them. No human will chain and capture others and sells them to such devastating conditions; to me that is saddening and scary because people thought that slavery was right, they thought that Africans being chained and shipped to suffer is right. This situation still occurs in modern days, just not as severe. People can’t walk around at night without having the fear that they’ll be robbed or killed. People can’t walk around fearing what other people will think about themselves just because they look different from the people around them. We are always taught that everyone is unique, but can we be unique without fearing others words and looks toward you. These words and fears are no different than the whipping the Africans suffered through. Olaudah Equiano wrote this autobiography having a little hope on changing future generations and preventing his horrors and fears to occur. But unfortunately, things have not become that much better. But when Olaudah Equiano sees the world of 2013, he’ll be relieved in the little changes we have made to the world. But deep inside the fear and worries of inequality will still exist.
The depth of human cruelty that is described in the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano is very wrong and tragic. The way families and friends were separated and having the thought that they will never see each other again, is the worst feeling in the world. This situation known as the middle passage, could take up to several weeks to complete and there was a lack of food and exercise for the slaves. Once sailing on the ship, these slaves lived a horrible life. They were kept underneath the ship, stacked amongst each other with barely any fresh air to breathe and any light to gaze upon. Not only this but the majority of the slaves were sick and the place they were in was unsanitary and it was just not a place for a human to be in. Furthermore, Current world events that violate human rights are like the incident of Oscar Grant. The American father was shot by a Bart officer. Oscar was an innocent man that was unarmed and was just returning home from a movie theatre. This incident was very tragic and sorrowful to me because he was an innocent man and his life was taken away. If Olaudah Equiano were to live during this stage of life (2013), he would be glad and relieved that slavery is no longer existing. But he would not aprove of all the violence there is. Violence seems like it will never end, but until then the best thing to do is to be peaceful with the environment and those around you.
Accounting for the depths of human cruelty on the autobiography, now wouldn’t seem very right at all. Back in this era however, wouldn’t seem wrong because that is when America was still developing and was very religiously based in its political society. It seems almost Ludacris that we have seen changes like from what is portrayed in the autobiography to now. Destroying the fabric of a person’s character is not what is supposed to happen in America, nor should that be the case anywhere else for that matter. Usually in our modern era governments around the world have been trying to abolish acts like this. Unfortunately this still happens, in Asia, Africa, Russia, Europe, and even in the United States of America; some being tricked into coming to a different country for a better education or being captured and sold anywhere in the world. Most working for low wages in areas of the world in which the regional economy is nearly nothing. How would Olaudah Equiano see the United States many years after his generation? He would see the improvements that we have done with our culture, the integration of cultures and races from all over the world living, working, and sleeping all in the same place, but he would see our downfalls as well. He will see the aftermath of what has happened from his time, such as slave trade all over the world and how people have revolutionized it to become much more efficient in the exportation of a person for the personal gain of money. Not only that but will notice how some people aren’t taking advantage of their freedom and take it for granted, like seeing our prison systems increasing in population while the population of people using their freedom to do something is slowly decreasing. Over all he will be much more satisfied with what he wanted earlier but would be mad about some of the outcomes of what the government has resolved to give people.
Cruelty fear shake hands together. Cruelty is perhaps the worst kind of sin and intellectual cruelty is even worse. I believe that religion is to be held accountable for the human cruelty described in this autobiography, due to the idea of manifest destiny. I say this because the idea of “God given land” explains for the behavior of vanity and greed from the settlers during Equiano’s time. This mindset becomes ignorant of basic human rights, due to a widespread focus on their “God given land” that grows cash crops and pays no attention to the inhumane conditions of its laborers that maintain the owner’s greed. This belief system went on for years and is still occurring now; however, I understand that, when someone only knows what they are taught, it eventually becomes their truth. Guantanamo Bay detention camp, would be a prime example for horrors and violations of human rights. Once used as a prison for runaway refugees in Haiti during the late 20th century, then used as a detention torture camp for “terrorists.” Throughout the Bush administration this occurred, and later to be found out that these “terrorists” were innocent, after they were released with no charges. The innocent Muslims that were imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay were announced to be “high leveled detainees” that were never put to trial and were interrogated under torture, before even being sent to the prison. Once out of the prison detainees spoke of the conditions of Guantanamo Bay and the abuse of religion by tearing pages out of the Quran or flushing the Quran down the toilet. In 2010 Guantanamo Bay was announced unconstitutional; although, it still holds many prisoners till this day, which the CIA calls a secrete prison also known as a “Black Site.” I believe Equiano would see the United States as a corrupt country that is still under the control of greed. Furthermore, he would see that freedom is still not truly achieved for all citizens and would realize that nothing has really changed except technology, because he would see our country as a false advertisement of freedom and a hypocrite. and
In the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano he describes how he was treated very bad. he tells how the people that owned him would treat him bad and also shared how he was taken away from his family with his sister and later separated by her because different people bought them. He lets the readers know that people treated him bad and only fed him because it would benefit them in terms on slavery. Also he clearly says to the readers to treat people how you would want to be treated. If he was able to see live and how its much differently in 2013 he would be both very happy and still disappointed. He would be happy because he would like that slavery is over and that people are able to be free. He would still be sad because the violence in the world has not come to an end. To this day there are countless deaths caused by unnecessary violence because people cant solve problems with anything other than violence.
In parts of this autobiography, we are able to really get a glimpse of how human cruelty can reach the extremities of where it is dehumanizing and results in loss of self-identity. Olaudah Equiano dwells on how slavery tore him away from his family except for his sister, with whom he was kidnapped, only to soon after be separated from her as well. After time passes they are reunited, but the moment is too brief to be a satisfying one for either and once again Equiano has to carry on with his life not only having a heavy workload in poor conditions but also lacking close relationships with anyone else. This goes to show that the white slave traders who proclaimed themselves to be good Christians and used the Bible as their justification for participating in slave commerce were simply selfish people who would have secured what they wanted even at the expense of others.
One current world event depicting similar horrors and violations of humans rights as Equiano had in his narrative would be how just yesterday in Pakistan, there was a suicide bomber who entered a historic Christian church and killed 78 people, adults and children alike. Christianity is a minority in Pakistan, so as for the majority of the country that practices Islam, they probably look down upon Christianity as though it is an inferior religion to their own. This brings us back to how one group of people tries to impose their superiority they believe they’re deserving of over another group instead of attempting to understand and tolerate them.
If Olaudah Equiano saw the United States as it is now, he would be pleased that African slavery no longer exists but upset that African-Americans or even ethnicities of all kinds are still being oppressed, stereotyped, and asserting themselves above one another rather than trying to maintain peace with each other and working as a whole. Additionally, he would be proud to see families actually together, especially those where although the guardians of the children may not truly be of blood relation to them, they nevertheless love and care for them as if they were their own and that’s all that matters.
In Olaudah Equiano’s biography, his life was overrun by slavery. Slavery is incomparable to anything other exodus because entire families would torn apart. Olaudah went into greater depth into his experiences to show us how terrible slavery really is. There were so many instances where he was whipped for even the smallest mistakes. Since the slave trade made people into property, there wasn’t any guilt associated with whipping or punishing a slave. There are a few cases where workers have to work in bad conditions, uphold long hours, and to be separated from their families for weeks at a time. This frequently happens in China because there is such a high demand for cheap labor. We’ve all heard that producing products will lower costs for a company, but they ignore the fact that their labor laws aren’t the same as America’s. These Chinese workers are captive to their own jobs since they can’t afford to not have a job. If Olaudah were to be in the United States in 2013, he might be astonished from how diverse we have become! Although we have a lot of work to do, we have come a long way since the times of slavery. Instead of having two polarized groups, we have a more diverse and less oppressive environment. Overall, Olaudah would have enjoyed this decade because Africans have made a larger presence in this country and their voices can be heard.
Noe Delgadillo In Olaudah Equiano's story, I feel that the whole human rights that they had, were being completely destroyed. Nobody should have to go through with that ever. Olaudah explains that slavery is no joke, there were children being separated from their family which made them lose their identities and never get them back. I mean if you were lucky you would maybe see your family again once in your lifetime, just like Olaudah did. I feel that there actually were no human rights for the slaves. They really didn't have any type of freedom. They got beaten for not eating like what does that say about slave owners? That they were heartless and cruel. They never thought about what it would be like if things were switched around. They wouldn't like it one bit. A current event that is destroying human rights is when the government was bombing their own people in Syria. I don't know too much information about it but just thinking about it and hearing about it, what makes a government want to bomb their own innocent civilians. I think that Olaudah Equiano would think that the United States is actually a way better place then how it was before, I think that he would say that it's not perfect because we still have some racism going on. Even though we say that every human is equal, I sometimes feel like African Americans are not treated the same as Whites. Well that's what I think Elaudah Equiano would see the United States in 2013.
In Equiano’s autobiography, he paints a story to let his readers understand the real struggle of what it was like to be a slave. He explains his own tragedy of being taken from a young age, separated from his sister, and being forced on a slave ship to be shipped to an unknown country just to work for other people. Slaves were treated this way because the people who attacked him with cruelty (he later pointed them out as Christians) believed that slaves were not humans, but merely their own property that cannot have any rights. Today, major human rights issues still involve racism, especially between whites and african americans. Just a few years ago, Oscar Grant was shot at a BART station by an officer who only claimed he was going to tase him. Another recent case would be that of Trayvon Martin. He was a 15 year old boy who was shot while walking down his neighborhood. The shooter claims that Trayvon was doing “suspicious activity,” but there is no evidence that can justify that. Zimmerman can only assume that just because of the color of his skin. Olaudah Equiano would probably be relaxed to see that the African slave trade has long been abolished in America. He may also be happy to see that diversity among different races now exist and that a majority of the citizens don’t feel superior to others. However, he would probably still be disgusted at the fact at how corrupt enforces can be and how live discrimination still is in some cases. Based on my knowledge, I still assume that there are still people in less wealthy countries where the people are still forced to work in harsh conditions, so I believe that Equiano would also disapprove of that.
The cruelty of human against human as it was described in Olaudah's autobiography was just all together unacceptable but this shows how whites had always felt superior to others and tried justifying it using the Bible. The greatest crime of the greatest evil depicted in the autobiography was the cruel separation of families and friends. Even today that is one of the cruelest acts that could possibly be done. This cruelty of a race feeling more superior to others has been seen all over history and still even today. Still, America will never be able to clear its reputation after that period of time in which the slaves were forcibly ripped from their culture, traditions, family, and identity. Even though this horrible tragidy helped form the mixed community we see today, we look back and ask, "Why?" The cruelty of taking people as if they were animals used for labor wasn't the end of it because the whites also took what bit of human rights they had once they arrived on American shores. The harsh period of slavery ended after many years of toil and loss of hope but as we can tell racism will never truly be eliminated. If Olaudah were to see the U.S. how it is today he would be very discontent that racism still exists but would at least be satisfied since the age of slavery has ended. In the current world, violation of human rights is still seen and equality hasn't been fully achieved. As many can see, whites still feel that they are the superior race because a lot still hate the other races and they hold a grudge against immigrants. They end up telling them or forcibly kicking them out of the US and sometimes even violently beat them when they don't even fight back. If the immigrants are sent back then they are torn from their family since they leave them behind. There is also the topic of slave labor which still goes on unseen but everyone knows is still there. This violates human rights since they are poorly payed and have bad work conditions.
In the auto biography human cruelty is very harsh. Slaves were whooped and mistreated. All humans have rights but they didn't give African-Americans any rights. They were cruel with them. It was sad that they had to go through those hard times . A big part of the cruelty was when they separated his family from Olaudah Equino. A bigger sad part was when he got separated from his sister who went through a lot of things with him. She was by his side all the time so imagine the pain he felt to see her go. Today there is no slavery thanks to President Abraham Lincoln. I believe the problem now is racism. There has been several events due to racism. For example, when oscar was shot from a white male officer at Fruitville station. There was no reason why Oscar and his friend should've gotten treated like that. They were put on their knees offended and hit by the cops. Olaudah Equiano would be happy with how the United States is now. He would see the major improvements from when slavery existed to this day. Many people have their rights. There's freedom of speech freedom of religion and you're able to be who you are in this country. People are free to do legal things! you're able to see your family whenever you want knowing you will never be separated by them until death holds them apart. Although I do say a big disappointment to him would be how much racism still goes on. It's not everywhere but it still common in some places and not only with African-Americans but with Hispanics and Asians also.
Eleeza Buesa I account the depth of human cruelty like living in hell on earth in parts of Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography. His autobiography takes people to a deep emotional level. It explains how some of the Americans were quite brutal on treating slaves back then. Back then they did not treat Africans as people. They treated them like cargo/ animals. They did care about if they would starve themselves to death and would force feed them only because they knew that if the Africans didn't look good during the auction meant that they wouldn't make a better profit. What’s even inhumane about it is how they would they would separate families especially with young children and their mothers. The reason why they take the children so they can raise it on their own and get them to obey them like their own children because they would be tied into slavery easier because they would obey since they didn't have family with them. Some current world events that reveals similar horrors and violations of human rights is when other big corporations that don’t want to waste giving low wages in America, making their products elsewhere for a cheaper price so they can achieve maximum profit. In this case the company’s CEO doesn’t have time to check on production and factory conditions in the other countries so they hand the representative in the country to take care of the factory, but they abuse the power and keep more money for themselves and make the other workers more towards the 3rd world countries a harder time. I believe that Equiano will see the United States as better world than the time he lived, but not complete perfection because even though that there isn't slavery anymore race/ethnicity plays a huge role in how they make money today.
Inequality floated in the sea of interaction between the Europeans and the Africans. Without consideration, the Africans were purchased and enslaved. Based from Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, Africans were seen as barely humans by the Europeans. The slave traders felt superior therefore treating most of the Africans in a cruel manner. Despite of the several factors that motivated the Europeans, I believe that their mistreatment towards the natives was beyond intolerable and immoral. Not only did Olaudah Equiano was physically hurt in the slave ship on his way to the West Indies, he was also emotionally saddened by the partition of his sibling. Putting myself in Olaudah’s point of view, I would also feel hopeless and desperate in account of the limited options that I can accept. Although the extent of the violation of human rights isn’t as deep compared to what Olaudah Equaino had suffered, such inequality still exist. Most people judge the LGBT community just as how the Europeans enslaved the natives. Eventhough same sex marriage was passed, such states still don’t accept it. Religion wise, same sex marriage is seen as sinful. Most people who consider themselves LGBT are still not able to express themselves due to judgement that other brought upon them. Same sex marriage and the equal rights of men and women shouldn’t have been made or passed as a law but instead it should have been justly and naturally accepted by everyone. By learning from our past, we are then more aware of our surroundings and how we react to them. If Olaudah Equiano was to be migrated in the United States in our current timeline, he would feel welcomed and more secure. Olaudah can express himself freely and liberty will further extend his contentment without anyone judging him by his own race. Overall, he will experience and enjoy the rights that our country offers.
The depth of human cruelty as i didnt know before can be very deep. with this autobiography it really shows how cold blooded and cruel that humans can be to eachother, instead of seeing us as one human race they discriminated by the color of someones skin. with this it also shows that people will do anything to benefit themselves even if it means enslaving people and torturing them. Current world events that come close to slavery is events like 9-11, terrorism is like slavery because it is a crime that is as cruel as slavery, it takes a cold blooded hateful person to do these terrorist attacks which is very close to enslaving people.If olaudah Equiano were to see the united states in 2013 i think he would think that we have came a long way and improved a lot as a country and i do think it would be a place that he would like to live in. Although we still have problems with this issue as in discrimination because of peoples skin color or race its nothing like how it used to be.
I believe that the amount of human cruelty described in the parts of this autobiography is truly inhumane.. Olaudah Equiano gives a personal inside look at one of the worst cases of human cruelty known to man which was slavery. One of the worst things mentioned is the fact that families and friends are being torn apart by force and are not likely to see each other ever again The fact that this has happened to millions within such a short period of time is astonishing in a negative sense. It's also a violation of human rights because it ruins personal identities since for many of us, our families and friends make up part of who we are as a human being so it would not be a surprise why slavery was one of the most hurtful and cruel things to ever occur. One of the current events that still happen that is similar to what Olaudah is talking about in his autobiography would be human trafficking. It has many similarities to slavery and frequently occurs in third-world countries. People are still being torn from loved ones, sent far away, sold and mistreated if their "superiors" aren't satisfied with them. Another example of human rights is the fact that in some occupations, women don't get paid as much as men. This is a violation of human equality because one of the rights that we as people have is equality and just knowing that people don't get paid fairly based off of gender is basically discrimination. Olaudah would generally be happy with the fact that slavery has been abolished but at the same time, he'd be displeased at the fact that people are still judged based on things that they don't have control over like race, skin color, sexuality, etc.
Aziza Crowder
ReplyDeleteThe depth of human cruelty described in parts of the autobiography are absolutely appalling to me. How a human being could rip a person of a different color away from their country, home, and friends. Olaudah had to be careful when making bonds because he would be sold and shipped off to the next slave master faster than he could exchange words with an unknown face. There were times where the sick reality of slavery for a moment would disperse because a sliver of happiness would appear and while it lasted he would grasp on tightly to it. The slave ship was even worse for him. He saw people he didn't know but felt their pain as the whip was dragged across their dinged backs. At times he refused to eat but that wouldn't settle well with the white people. He had to go through so much just for being a stranger. However, in the U.S. although there aren't many horrors or violations of human rights but events like the Trayvon trial, and the incident at Fruitvale Station seem to me the rare violation of human rights. In both cases the victims were black and the people who killed them were white cops. Most people would point out the race in these cases, and how the white cops never really did get a fair jail time. The boys were shot just for looking a certain way and without even a question were shot down by a cop. Olaudah would see the United States as a nice place where blacks lived freely, peacefully, and among other rich ethnic groups. He would see the improvements that came along with time and wisdom. Although he would frown on some of the injustices, like the cases I earlier mentioned, he would overall be satisfied with how things have changed for the better of his people.
Mariana Ponce
ReplyDeleteThe depth of human cruelty described in parts of the autobiography made realize that there is a world beyond what we are living in.In other words it made me penitent about the place we are in. The way any human being could be yet so blithe and careless about anyone but their own kind devastated me. The separation of Olaudah's family was desolate and tore him apart. While being on the slave ship he watched others be whipped and or pushed around. Luckily it wasn't him but he still felt scold by them which led him to refuse to eat. Although we don't come across racism in our country as much anymore, we do encounter situations that horror and violate human rights. For example, recently a African American family was driven out of the Orange County after they had just moved to Yorba Linda. The family was tortured and threatened while at home and out in the streets. The family couldn't believe what was happening to them. They thought it was unreal because they believe that, that stage of life was over. Another example is the case of Trayvon he was brutally shot, not for starting a huge chaos but for being who he was. But it isn't just African Americans who come across situation like this; its everyone. Luckily, cases like these are more rare than before.Furthermore, Olaudah would see the United States today as a more equal and better place. He would feel better about who he is and what he would be able to do. He would realize sooner or later that things have tried to ameliorate despite of some events that still don't better us.
Sharon Phan
ReplyDeleteIn Olaudah Equiano's autobiography, he explains his experiences with human cruelty. In his narrative, it seemed that whenever he thought that things couldn't have gotten any worse he was continually brought down. In some parts of the story, he gave the impression that he was somewhat getting situated with whatever condition he was in, but then out of the blue he would be taken away once again. From the beginning of the story he was always moving. When he was captured with his sister and taken away from the rest of his family, they tried their best to stick together; however, they unfortunately got split up. Upset by the separation of the only family that Olaudah had left, he lost all hope. Another brutal experience that he had faced was his time on the slave ship. Along with a hundred others, Olaudah was kept in the bottom of a ship that was absolutely horrendous. Chained up side-by-side, they were cramped and miserable. They were treated poorly, forced to eat food that was barely edible, and had to suffer the harshest of conditions. The setting of the ship was so appalling that some slaves would hop over board than be on the ship. The fact that they would sacrifice themselves than be on the boat explains how gruesome it was to be onboard.
Although people today are more civilized than in Olaudah's time, it doesn't mean that the world is completely in peace. Some current events that violate human rights are the Russian Anti-Gay Law and the Trayvon Martin Case. The laws that the Russian government had passed was targeted and limited the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. It prohibited the propaganda of homosexuality to minors and gay parades. By allowing this act, they aren't allowing people to be themselves and express how they feel therefore violating their rights. Similarly, the Trayvon Martin case also disregarded human rights. In this event, Trayvon Martin, an African-American adolescent was unfairly shot by a police officer, George Zimmerman. He was shot out of suspicion and wasn't even given a chance of explanation. Despite this, Zimmerman was determined not guilty.
Today, I think that Olaudah Equiano would see the world as a better place. We have actually made a lot of change compared to the world before. We have become more civilized as people and equality is slowly being achieved despite some setbacks. All in all, Olaudah Equiano would see the United States as a better place.
Fiona Gee
ReplyDeleteThe Autobiography of Olaudah Equiano gives insight on some of the most brutal episodes of slavery. Human cruelty in general is a violation of equal human rights, but this autobiography displays one of the more harsh cases of discrimination. There is no excuse for the way humans were used as slaves; ripped from their homes and thrown into a completely new world only to be tied to a lifetime contract of labor. Olaudah was kidnapped and brought into slavery as a young child, but despite being a slave, he was treated fairly and at one point, as an equal to his masters. His experience traveling through the Middle Passage to work in the West Indies was something he never experienced before. The misery, depression, hopelessness, and cruelty deflated his spirits and made him wish he were never born. If Olaudah were brought into modern day United States, I presume that he would be pleased about the matter regarding the abolition of slavery. Even though slavery has been illegal for decades, there are still many cases of discrimination and racism. People are judged and looked down upon for their looks, nationality, as well as skin color. Olaudah would be displeased and disgusted at the mindset that has overshadowed a percentage of the American population.
Sergio Mariscal
ReplyDeleteThe autobiography of Olaudah Equiano focused on slavery and how cruel it is. It made me notice how badly people were treated as slaves and how they saw their lives while being slaves. It is so harsh how people think they can separate innocent people from their families like it is nothing. Everyone has rights and should be treated the same. I don’t understand how a human being can treat another human being so poorly just for their skin color. The United States isn’t the same as it was back when there were slaves. Although, some people are still cruel and there is a lot of racism, such as, the killing of Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin was a teenager and he was shot by a white person because he was seen as suspicious. The teenager wasn’t doing anything bad, he was just shot because of his race and how he dressed. Overall I believe Olaudah Equiano would be slightly satisfied from the United States now in 2013. He would still see racism and crimes, but it is nothing compared to slavery and what he lived through.
Diogo Holanda
ReplyDeleteIn Olaudah Equiano’s Autobiography, It gave me another example of how cruel slavery was and how it could really destroy anyone’s life. Especially his and how he was taken away from his family and from his life. All his human rights were violated and it shows how some people can be so cruel and heartless. I can’t imagine the feeling of being robbed of my life and losing all my rights just because of my skin color, so I all my respect to Olaudah for having to experience such harsh treatments. A current event that violated a humans right was the shooting of Oscar Grant who was shot just because of his skin tone when was he unarmed and innocent. If Olaudah were to be living in the United States in 2013 he would be glad to see that slavery doesn't exist and is illegal and that no one will ever experience what he went through ever again. How ever he would disappointed to see some of the discrimination that still occurs.
How do you account for the depth of human cruelty described in parts of this autobiography? What current world events reveal similar horrors and violations of human rights? How would Olaudah Equiano see the United States in 2013?
ReplyDeletePaul Perilla
Equiano's autobiography features human cruelty without conscience. His autobiography tells a story about the brutality that he experienced. Equiano's most hurtful experience was being separated by his family. Let alone being stolen from the habitat that they've gotten used to and grown since they were born, they were thrown into a slave ship, a transportation that smells worst that a sewer, and separated away from their family. The discrimination described in Equiano's autobiography is just too harsh to think about. Even doing such things to animals would be a devil's work. Without looking at it in the African's perspective, the Whites treated them like worthless humans. People who have the same two feet, two hands, body, etc. They didn't care to think that they were humans like them. Only difference is their skin color. Despite the racism that still lives today, there are other human rights today that are violated, such as marrying another human who have the same sex as theirs. Still human, still have two feet and two hands, but discriminated because they're gay and it's "abnormal". Just because they're attracted to the same sex as theirs, and just because they have different skin colors, it does not mean we have to treat them any different that everyone else. If Olaudah Equiano were alive today, he would be a freeman, but he would write not an autobiography, but a book that's as thick as the phone book about the cruelty that still lives on today. The people who kills the innocents for no reason would be a chapter in the book for sure. The terrorism in the work today would make Eqiano lose his mind. Equiano would see the United States today as a better place however, but he will for sure never forget the discriminations that he experienced.
albert felix
ReplyDeleteIn Olaudah Equiano’s Autobiography, they touch most on slavery in ways that cant be truly explained just by a history teacher. to have someone actually go through slavery and tell it so vividly, it really creates a picture in my mind that changes my whole perspective of what i thought happened. slavery will truly mess with someones mind that cant be explained. all of his rights were stripped away from people that he didn't even know. to be real if i went through all that he when threw i would be an entirely different person. he see's the u.s as like a foreign land that want too similar to his home land but he finds certain things the same as they were in his home country. the our current world their are actually 27 million slaves in the world today in small places like south america, africa, china, and india. its sad to know that slavery are still in the world today. the united states want to bud in on every war they can get on bud they wont go anywhere near things that can help people which is kinda strange? well, i guess theres no justice for those who died, was tortured, and sold. he would be so upset to be revived and still, so many years later and things still haven't changed.
Santiago Ayala
ReplyDeleteThe depth of human cruelty explained by Olaudah Equiano is painful and very well describe. It makes the reader actually visualize the pain that the author experienced. It explained the way he was ripped apart from his loved ones. While reading the autobiography, I felt some of the pain like if I could actually visualize it. The pain that the author experienced was harsh and I surely don’t want to go through that. Being separated from your loves ones is like breaking your heart and identity into pieces that can never be rebuilt again. Slave trade was a big part of history but is surely affected a lot of people and even though not every slave made an autobiography, we have at least one that we can learn from. Even today people still violate human rights. For example, Nike has little kids working in a foreign country to make their products and paying them a low salary. That should not be acceptable but people don't know about it or don't really pay attention to that. Nike just uses kids to make them rich and its against human rights but it seems like one cares about that. Its another human cruelty. If Olaudah Equiano was alive, he would see the United States as a free country for mostly everyone. Most of the human rights aren’t violated in the United States and there isn't slavery anymore.Also that everyone has the right to be educated and go to college. The only thing that he can still relate to is that most young black African American people are always seen as bad and unintelligent. I think Olaudah Equiano would like seeing this world not violating human rights and that everyone in this community has a voice no matter their color.
The severe depth of human cruelty in Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography cannot be justified; there is absolutely no reason why anybody should go through what African Americans have gone through. However the accountability of these slaveholders being so cruel is because they didn’t give African American slaves a chance to prove they to be legitimate human beings in the slaveholders eyes, so slave holders always saw their slaves as lesser. With that mentality and apply that thinking to anything and your just bound to cause a major problem. A current world event such as workers in Bangladesh being denied wages of $100 a month is a perfect example of people being denied their human rights, the fact that dozens were injured is a smaller scale of the horrors of demanding you basic rights. Imagine if these Bangladesh people were being denied something bigger such as their freedom of speech, what do you think will happen when the innocent and blithe child disappears for a claim he doesn’t even know the meaning of. Equiano would see the United States as a wonderful and full of freedom place, if he were a blind man. Although slavery is long over and nothing is on the rise to become like it, the United States still has a multitude of problems such as gang violence, bullying, unemployment rates, economic and financial struggles. If were to have somehow remove the harshness of slavery you could see the economical innocence from Americas wealth, you wouldn’t have to worry about loosing your job, or house, or other countries economical decisions effecting you at all. The time that Equiano lived in was a true key component to the structure that makes the United States, united.
ReplyDeleteKelly Fung
ReplyDeleteThe depth of human cruelty described in parts of Oaludah Equiano’s autobiography explained the history of America. The events written in his autobiography about slavery told me how brutal and harsh a person can be to another. Equiano’s autobiography tells us stories that sadden everyone, and to me, it is more than saddening. We all are taught in History that the Europeans brought Africans over as a source of labor, but we were never taught how harsh the conditions were when they were brought over. They were first caught by their own people, put on disgusting ships for months, and finally they were sold into labor. When people were capturing Africans and sending them over to America, they never thought that they were human. Africans were treated as living cargo and slave traders had to keep them alive by whipping them. No human will chain and capture others and sells them to such devastating conditions; to me that is saddening and scary because people thought that slavery was right, they thought that Africans being chained and shipped to suffer is right. This situation still occurs in modern days, just not as severe. People can’t walk around at night without having the fear that they’ll be robbed or killed. People can’t walk around fearing what other people will think about themselves just because they look different from the people around them. We are always taught that everyone is unique, but can we be unique without fearing others words and looks toward you. These words and fears are no different than the whipping the Africans suffered through. Olaudah Equiano wrote this autobiography having a little hope on changing future generations and preventing his horrors and fears to occur. But unfortunately, things have not become that much better. But when Olaudah Equiano sees the world of 2013, he’ll be relieved in the little changes we have made to the world. But deep inside the fear and worries of inequality will still exist.
The depth of human cruelty that is described in the
ReplyDeleteautobiography of Olaudah Equiano is very wrong and tragic. The way families and friends were separated and having the thought that they will never see each other again, is the worst feeling in the world. This situation known as the middle passage, could take up to several weeks to complete and there was a lack of food and exercise for the slaves. Once sailing on the ship, these slaves lived a horrible life. They were kept underneath the ship, stacked amongst each other with barely any fresh air to breathe and any light to gaze upon. Not only this but the majority of the slaves were sick and the place they were in was unsanitary and it was just not a place for a human to be in. Furthermore, Current world events that violate human rights are like the incident of Oscar Grant. The American father was shot by a Bart officer. Oscar was an innocent man that was unarmed and was just returning home from a movie theatre. This incident was very tragic and sorrowful to me because he was an innocent man and his life was taken away. If Olaudah Equiano were to live during this stage of life (2013), he would be glad and relieved that slavery is no longer existing. But he would not aprove of all the violence there is. Violence seems like it will never end, but until then the best thing to do is to be peaceful with the environment and those around you.
Freddie Kao
ReplyDeleteAccounting for the depths of human cruelty on the autobiography, now wouldn’t seem very right at all. Back in this era however, wouldn’t seem wrong because that is when America was still developing and was very religiously based in its political society. It seems almost Ludacris that we have seen changes like from what is portrayed in the autobiography to now. Destroying the fabric of a person’s character is not what is supposed to happen in America, nor should that be the case anywhere else for that matter. Usually in our modern era governments around the world have been trying to abolish acts like this. Unfortunately this still happens, in Asia, Africa, Russia, Europe, and even in the United States of America; some being tricked into coming to a different country for a better education or being captured and sold anywhere in the world. Most working for low wages in areas of the world in which the regional economy is nearly nothing. How would Olaudah Equiano see the United States many years after his generation? He would see the improvements that we have done with our culture, the integration of cultures and races from all over the world living, working, and sleeping all in the same place, but he would see our downfalls as well. He will see the aftermath of what has happened from his time, such as slave trade all over the world and how people have revolutionized it to become much more efficient in the exportation of a person for the personal gain of money. Not only that but will notice how some people aren’t taking advantage of their freedom and take it for granted, like seeing our prison systems increasing in population while the population of people using their freedom to do something is slowly decreasing. Over all he will be much more satisfied with what he wanted earlier but would be mad about some of the outcomes of what the government has resolved to give people.
Cruelty fear shake hands together. Cruelty is perhaps the worst kind of sin and intellectual cruelty is even worse. I believe that religion is to be held accountable for the human cruelty described in this autobiography, due to the idea of manifest destiny. I say this because the idea of “God given land” explains for the behavior of vanity and greed from the settlers during Equiano’s time. This mindset becomes ignorant of basic human rights, due to a widespread focus on their “God given land” that grows cash crops and pays no attention to the inhumane conditions of its laborers that maintain the owner’s greed. This belief system went on for years and is still occurring now; however, I understand that, when someone only knows what they are taught, it eventually becomes their truth.
ReplyDeleteGuantanamo Bay detention camp, would be a prime example for horrors and violations of human rights. Once used as a prison for runaway refugees in Haiti during the late 20th century, then used as a detention torture camp for “terrorists.” Throughout the Bush administration this occurred, and later to be found out that these “terrorists” were innocent, after they were released with no charges. The innocent Muslims that were imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay were announced to be “high leveled detainees” that were never put to trial and were interrogated under torture, before even being sent to the prison. Once out of the prison detainees spoke of the conditions of Guantanamo Bay and the abuse of religion by tearing pages out of the Quran or flushing the Quran down the toilet. In 2010 Guantanamo Bay was announced unconstitutional; although, it still holds many prisoners till this day, which the CIA calls a secrete prison also known as a “Black Site.”
I believe Equiano would see the United States as a corrupt country that is still under the control of greed. Furthermore, he would see that freedom is still not truly achieved for all citizens and would realize that nothing has really changed except technology, because he would see our country as a false advertisement of freedom and a hypocrite.
and
Diana Carabajal
ReplyDeleteIn the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano he describes how he was treated very bad. he tells how the people that owned him would treat him bad and also shared how he was taken away from his family with his sister and later separated by her because different people bought them. He lets the readers know that people treated him bad and only fed him because it would benefit them in terms on slavery. Also he clearly says to the readers to treat people how you would want to be treated. If he was able to see live and how its much differently in 2013 he would be both very happy and still disappointed. He would be happy because he would like that slavery is over and that people are able to be free. He would still be sad because the violence in the world has not come to an end. To this day there are countless deaths caused by unnecessary violence because people cant solve problems with anything other than violence.
Lizel San Juan
ReplyDeleteIn parts of this autobiography, we are able to really get a glimpse of how human cruelty can reach the extremities of where it is dehumanizing and results in loss of self-identity. Olaudah Equiano dwells on how slavery tore him away from his family except for his sister, with whom he was kidnapped, only to soon after be separated from her as well. After time passes they are reunited, but the moment is too brief to be a satisfying one for either and once again Equiano has to carry on with his life not only having a heavy workload in poor conditions but also lacking close relationships with anyone else. This goes to show that the white slave traders who proclaimed themselves to be good Christians and used the Bible as their justification for participating in slave commerce were simply selfish people who would have secured what they wanted even at the expense of others.
One current world event depicting similar horrors and violations of humans rights as Equiano had in his narrative would be how just yesterday in Pakistan, there was a suicide bomber who entered a historic Christian church and killed 78 people, adults and children alike. Christianity is a minority in Pakistan, so as for the majority of the country that practices Islam, they probably look down upon Christianity as though it is an inferior religion to their own. This brings us back to how one group of people tries to impose their superiority they believe they’re deserving of over another group instead of attempting to understand and tolerate them.
If Olaudah Equiano saw the United States as it is now, he would be pleased that African slavery no longer exists but upset that African-Americans or even ethnicities of all kinds are still being oppressed, stereotyped, and asserting themselves above one another rather than trying to maintain peace with each other and working as a whole. Additionally, he would be proud to see families actually together, especially those where although the guardians of the children may not truly be of blood relation to them, they nevertheless love and care for them as if they were their own and that’s all that matters.
Adam Warner
ReplyDeleteIn Olaudah Equiano’s biography, his life was overrun by slavery. Slavery is incomparable to anything other exodus because entire families would torn apart. Olaudah went into greater depth into his experiences to show us how terrible slavery really is. There were so many instances where he was whipped for even the smallest mistakes. Since the slave trade made people into property, there wasn’t any guilt associated with whipping or punishing a slave. There are a few cases where workers have to work in bad conditions, uphold long hours, and to be separated from their families for weeks at a time. This frequently happens in China because there is such a high demand for cheap labor. We’ve all heard that producing products will lower costs for a company, but they ignore the fact that their labor laws aren’t the same as America’s. These Chinese workers are captive to their own jobs since they can’t afford to not have a job. If Olaudah were to be in the United States in 2013, he might be astonished from how diverse we have become! Although we have a lot of work to do, we have come a long way since the times of slavery. Instead of having two polarized groups, we have a more diverse and less oppressive environment. Overall, Olaudah would have enjoyed this decade because Africans have made a larger presence in this country and their voices can be heard.
Noe Delgadillo
ReplyDeleteIn Olaudah Equiano's story, I feel that the whole human rights that they had, were being completely destroyed. Nobody should have to go through with that ever. Olaudah explains that slavery is no joke, there were children being separated from their family which made them lose their identities and never get them back. I mean if you were lucky you would maybe see your family again once in your lifetime, just like Olaudah did. I feel that there actually were no human rights for the slaves. They really didn't have any type of freedom. They got beaten for not eating like what does that say about slave owners? That they were heartless and cruel. They never thought about what it would be like if things were switched around. They wouldn't like it one bit. A current event that is destroying human rights is when the government was bombing their own people in Syria. I don't know too much information about it but just thinking about it and hearing about it, what makes a government want to bomb their own innocent civilians. I think that Olaudah Equiano would think that the United States is actually a way better place then how it was before, I think that he would say that it's not perfect because we still have some racism going on. Even though we say that every human is equal, I sometimes feel like African Americans are not treated the same as Whites. Well that's what I think Elaudah Equiano would see the United States in 2013.
Marielle Lopez
ReplyDeleteIn Equiano’s autobiography, he paints a story to let his readers understand the real struggle of what it was like to be a slave. He explains his own tragedy of being taken from a young age, separated from his sister, and being forced on a slave ship to be shipped to an unknown country just to work for other people.
Slaves were treated this way because the people who attacked him with cruelty (he later pointed them out as Christians) believed that slaves were not humans, but merely their own property that cannot have any rights.
Today, major human rights issues still involve racism, especially between whites and african americans. Just a few years ago, Oscar Grant was shot at a BART station by an officer who only claimed he was going to tase him. Another recent case would be that of Trayvon Martin. He was a 15 year old boy who was shot while walking down his neighborhood. The shooter claims that Trayvon was doing “suspicious activity,” but there is no evidence that can justify that. Zimmerman can only assume that just because of the color of his skin.
Olaudah Equiano would probably be relaxed to see that the African slave trade has long been abolished in America. He may also be happy to see that diversity among different races now exist and that a majority of the citizens don’t feel superior to others. However, he would probably still be disgusted at the fact at how corrupt enforces can be and how live discrimination still is in some cases. Based on my knowledge, I still assume that there are still people in less wealthy countries where the people are still forced to work in harsh conditions, so I believe that Equiano would also disapprove of that.
Melissa Chavez
ReplyDeleteThe cruelty of human against human as it was described in Olaudah's autobiography was just all together unacceptable but this shows how whites had always felt superior to others and tried justifying it using the Bible. The greatest crime of the greatest evil depicted in the autobiography was the cruel separation of families and friends. Even today that is one of the cruelest acts that could possibly be done. This cruelty of a race feeling more superior to others has been seen all over history and still even today. Still, America will never be able to clear its reputation after that period of time in which the slaves were forcibly ripped from their culture, traditions, family, and identity. Even though this horrible tragidy helped form the mixed community we see today, we look back and ask, "Why?" The cruelty of taking people as if they were animals used for labor wasn't the end of it because the whites also took what bit of human rights they had once they arrived on American shores. The harsh period of slavery ended after many years of toil and loss of hope but as we can tell racism will never truly be eliminated. If Olaudah were to see the U.S. how it is today he would be very discontent that racism still exists but would at least be satisfied since the age of slavery has ended. In the current world, violation of human rights is still seen and equality hasn't been fully achieved. As many can see, whites still feel that they are the superior race because a lot still hate the other races and they hold a grudge against immigrants. They end up telling them or forcibly kicking them out of the US and sometimes even violently beat them when they don't even fight back. If the immigrants are sent back then they are torn from their family since they leave them behind. There is also the topic of slave labor which still goes on unseen but everyone knows is still there. This violates human rights since they are poorly payed and have bad work conditions.
Katherine Martinez
ReplyDeleteIn the auto biography human cruelty is very harsh. Slaves were whooped and mistreated. All humans have rights but they didn't give African-Americans any rights. They were cruel with them. It was sad that they had to go through those hard times . A big part of the cruelty was when they separated his family from Olaudah Equino. A bigger sad part was when he got separated from his sister who went through a lot of things with him. She was by his side all the time so imagine the pain he felt to see her go.
Today there is no slavery thanks to President Abraham Lincoln. I believe the problem now is racism. There has been several events due to racism. For example, when oscar was shot from a white male officer at Fruitville station. There was no reason why Oscar and his friend should've gotten treated like that. They were put on their knees offended and hit by the cops.
Olaudah Equiano would be happy with how the United States is now. He would see the major improvements from when slavery existed to this day. Many people have their rights. There's freedom of speech freedom of religion and you're able to be who you are in this country. People are free to do legal things! you're able to see your family whenever you want knowing you will never be separated by them until death holds them apart. Although I do say a big disappointment to him would be how much racism still goes on. It's not everywhere but it still common in some places and not only with African-Americans but with Hispanics and Asians
also.
Eleeza Buesa
ReplyDeleteI account the depth of human cruelty like living in hell on earth in parts of Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography. His autobiography takes people to a deep emotional level. It explains how some of the Americans were quite brutal on treating slaves back then. Back then they did not treat Africans as people. They treated them like cargo/ animals. They did care about if they would starve themselves to death and would force feed them only because they knew that if the Africans didn't look good during the auction meant that they wouldn't make a better profit.
What’s even inhumane about it is how they would they would separate families especially with young children and their mothers. The reason why they take the children so they can raise it on their own and get them to obey them like their own children because they would be tied into slavery easier because they would obey since they didn't have family with them.
Some current world events that reveals similar horrors and violations of human rights is when other big corporations that don’t want to waste giving low wages in America, making their products elsewhere for a cheaper price so they can achieve maximum profit. In this case the company’s CEO doesn’t have time to check on production and factory conditions in the other countries so they hand the representative in the country to take care of the factory, but they abuse the power and keep more money for themselves and make the other workers more towards the 3rd world countries a harder time.
I believe that Equiano will see the United States as better world than the time he lived, but not complete perfection because even though that there isn't slavery anymore race/ethnicity plays a huge role in how they make money today.
Meryl Cantoria
ReplyDeleteInequality floated in the sea of interaction between the Europeans and the Africans. Without consideration, the Africans were purchased and enslaved. Based from Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, Africans were seen as barely humans by the Europeans. The slave traders felt superior therefore treating most of the Africans in a cruel manner. Despite of the several factors that motivated the Europeans, I believe that their mistreatment towards the natives was beyond intolerable and immoral. Not only did Olaudah Equiano was physically hurt in the slave ship on his way to the West Indies, he was also emotionally saddened by the partition of his sibling. Putting myself in Olaudah’s point of view, I would also feel hopeless and desperate in account of the limited options that I can accept.
Although the extent of the violation of human rights isn’t as deep compared to what Olaudah Equaino had suffered, such inequality still exist. Most people judge the LGBT community just as how the Europeans enslaved the natives. Eventhough same sex marriage was passed, such states still don’t accept it. Religion wise, same sex marriage is seen as sinful. Most people who consider themselves LGBT are still not able to express themselves due to judgement that other brought upon them. Same sex marriage and the equal rights of men and women shouldn’t have been made or passed as a law but instead it should have been justly and naturally accepted by everyone.
By learning from our past, we are then more aware of our surroundings and how we react to them. If Olaudah Equiano was to be migrated in the United States in our current timeline, he would feel welcomed and more secure. Olaudah can express himself freely and liberty will further extend his contentment without anyone judging him by his own race. Overall, he will experience and enjoy the rights that our country offers.
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ReplyDeleteThe depth of human cruelty as i didnt know before can be very deep. with this autobiography it really shows how cold blooded and cruel that humans can be to eachother, instead of seeing us as one human race they discriminated by the color of someones skin. with this it also shows that people will do anything to benefit themselves even if it means enslaving people and torturing them. Current world events that come close to slavery is events like 9-11, terrorism is like slavery because it is a crime that is as cruel as slavery, it takes a cold blooded hateful person to do these terrorist attacks which is very close to enslaving people.If olaudah Equiano were to see the united states in 2013 i think he would think that we have came a long way and improved a lot as a country and i do think it would be a place that he would like to live in. Although we still have problems with this issue as in discrimination because of peoples skin color or race its nothing like how it used to be.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the amount of human cruelty described in the parts of this autobiography is truly inhumane.. Olaudah Equiano gives a personal inside look at one of the worst cases of human cruelty known to man which was slavery. One of the worst things mentioned is the fact that families and friends are being torn apart by force and are not likely to see each other ever again The fact that this has happened to millions within such a short period of time is astonishing in a negative sense. It's also a violation of human rights because it ruins personal identities since for many of us, our families and friends make up part of who we are as a human being so it would not be a surprise why slavery was one of the most hurtful and cruel things to ever occur.
ReplyDeleteOne of the current events that still happen that is similar to what Olaudah is talking about in his autobiography would be human trafficking. It has many similarities to slavery and frequently occurs in third-world countries. People are still being torn from loved ones, sent far away, sold and mistreated if their "superiors" aren't satisfied with them. Another example of human rights is the fact that in some occupations, women don't get paid as much as men. This is a violation of human equality because one of the rights that we as people have is equality and just knowing that people don't get paid fairly based off of gender is basically discrimination. Olaudah would generally be happy with the fact that slavery has been abolished but at the same time, he'd be displeased at the fact that people are still judged based on things that they don't have control over like race, skin color, sexuality, etc.