Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Journal #2 English III

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 2008?

28 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. It seemed as if people used cruelty to obtain money and power in the past by using slavery like in the autobiography when the boy's sister is taken away from him twice. Kids being stolen and sold, which happens globally, is an example of what the story is about and the bestial minds of those that sold 'healthy' children felt nothing. There might not be slavery but there is still injustice and racism that is used as a replacement and nothing is done about it. People play the name game around the world but don't seem to still find a solution and its been centuries ever since it began. Olaudah Equiano would see the U.S. as a better community because he wouldn't see slavery and families being torn apart for other peoples pleasure. He was a a confused child that suffered through others gain of undeserved money and labor.

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  3. It is imperative to understand the human cruelty of the mental, cultural, and political violence. In the autobiography, Olaudah Equino was mistreated by most of his owners; he had been sold multiple times for satisfaction. The majority of his masters wanted to buy slaves for the riches, prosperity, and recognition. Oscar Grant is an example of the violations of the human rights, given that he was killed by a police officer unsupplied with an explanation. The police officer was in jail for an insufficiently amount of time, which created chaos and protest. This is related to Equiano’s lifestyle as a slave going through a journey of tribulations. Olaudah Equino would see the United States as a tranquility place because of what he had been through. Although, all we see is a world full of economic problems, wars, and governmental issues. From my perspective, Equino would've love the United States now.

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  4. The amount of human cruelty described in Equiano’s autobiography, at times, can be overwhelming, but is definitely necessary to tell Equiano’s full story. Personally I find it interesting that slaves in Africa were treated so much better in Africa than here. The passage makes me wonder if Equiano’s journey was one traveled many times by other slaves.
    In our current world, to my belief, there are still smaller forms of slavery occurring, which is a major offense of human rights. Another event that is a major violation of human rights is the oppression of the people in the African nations that are currently in revolutions as we speak. Hopefully a person like Equiano is writing during these revolutions so we can get a closer look at the events taking place.
    I believe Equiano would enjoy the 2011 version of the United States. Our people are much more tolerant and forgiving than the people of Equiano’s times. Our people are much more fast-paced technologically than Equiano’s people, and I can see him having problems adapting to 2011 technology, just as any person from the past would. What Equiano would like most about 2011, however, is freedom. He was brutally punished as a slave in his times, and 2011’s racists are just that - racists.

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  5. People used cruelty because they wanted power and money that was all people wanted and the slaves got punished and they had to work all day,got bruised because their owners would beat them.Everyone was mean to the slaves because they were better than them and bought them out.Everyone at the time was full of racism because none of the slaves could do nothing.Equiano could relate to this because it happeneds to him and i think if he was still alive to this day then he would love it out here cause their is no more slavery here and also people now a days arnt racist.ALso their is freedom that he had not had before.People in the united states today is more loving then when the slaves were their back then.Back then people didnt care at all and now it has changed a whole lot!

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  6. It was so easy for a human to be cruel to another human specially if they were African American. The way i see it Equiano was sperated from his sister not knowing if he would ever get to see her again. He was also moved from place to place like he was a treated like a toy. Some current events that violate human rights were after 9/11 passed people were afraid to get on a plane with any middle eastern person, why? because they thought it could happen again so that's. Another example is like in Arizona how they trying to pass the illegal reformation so that anyone who is Hispanic could get deported that's a big time violating a human bean rights.
    I think if Equiano would be living the 2011 year it be so much different he would be treated like any other human bean, he will have a lot more opportunities an he wouldn't have to worry about getting beat.

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  8. The cruelty is that is suffered by Olaudah Equiano is just unbelievable. Olaudah’s pain was not physical but it also was emotional. When being stolen from your home and being taking first across the country then being taken across an ocean to serve people who looked completely different and spoke a language that he couldn’t even understand. A similar horror of human rights is the sex trade in countries like India where young girls are told that they will have a chance to help their families, but the girls are really manipulated into prostitution and just like slavery the young girls can’t find a way out of it. Olaudah Equiano would see the United States as a better. He would feel this is way because there is no more slavery and all people are treated equally. Even though a lot of people may still not see things being better now; I am sure Olaudah Equiano would see it as a better place for him to live.

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  9. People don't treat each other as they want
    to be treated, some they just control the person to do what they have to do what made us changed we are humans beings. Like Martin Luther King Jr. he said he had a dream of all of the race come together and to be unite to fight for something that is right to them not for any one else. In Martins history he could play with a white boy just because he was black and also when we voted on the president some white people didn't want Barack Obama in the white for the same reason because he was black it was dum you can't just judge people from their skin color everyone should be treated equal and with dignity if Olaudah was still alive in this year he could have change peoples life if he told his story to the whole world he could have been like Martin Luther King.

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  10. I believe the depth of human cruelty is described in this autobiography by how they take these kids that don’t really understand what’s happening or where they’re about to and take them from their families to make a profit. Then they sell them around like they’re a piece of clothing passing them around like a collection plate. Olaudah was separated from his sister and sold to many others then one day she’s sold to his recent owner where he and his sister are reunited till she gets sold and given to the next buyer. I think the recent story similar to this story is that the people in America fear that there could be another terrorist attack in New York or other parts of the states. There is a recent talk on the news about there’s a tip that some cars been stolen and they believe it may have to do with what happened almost 10 years ago on 9/11. Olaudah would see the United States as a chance where everyone every race and every shade has an equal chance at succeeding. He would also see that there’s no slavery and wouldn’t have to be scared about getting sold or kidnapped.

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  11. Back then in the times of slavery, people were cruel because of goods and money. Everyone was so greedy that they would treat another human poorly. They felt money and goods was more important than a human's well being and safety. One similiar thing that happens now is prostitution. That is a type of slavery because they are brought in and sold to people for money. If they dont comply to orders they get disciplined just as slaves did. If Olaudah Equiano seen the United States today he would be happy that most people aren't slaves and ge played a big part of it. He would try to make sure all slavery is gone all around the country and make this a better place.

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  12. There is a large amount of cruelty against Olaudah Equiano, and other African American slaves. Forcing them not only to work for free, or threatening them with beatings, but also forcing them to leave their families. They were ripped apart with having the very least chance in the world to ever see any relative ever again.
    The incident done to Oscar Grant is a current event of cruelty. This man was beaten to death by a police officer, whom was released out of jail after three months. Many of us think this is a bias situation, and absolutely unfair. This could’ve been a reaction to racism, prejudice, or arrogance, but at the end, it was still a foul incident.
    Olaudah Equiano would see the U.S. in a different way, but with the same idea. People are still very inhuman until this day. We seem to be very “peaceful” around each other, but not everything is revealed nowadays until things go too far. But even then, we still seem to ignore it, and cover it up ourselves.

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  13. The depth of human cruelty in this autobiography was horrible hearing all the different things he saw and he wen't through just think about what all the other slaves had to endure. These people the "Masters" put these slaves through so much which was really wrong and what they put Olaudah Equiano through. Something that is going one right now kind of similar to this is people in foreign country's being forced to do things similar to slaves. Olaudah Equiano would see the United States as of now as a better place in time than what he lived in but then if he heard of some of the issue's we are facing right now he might have some thoughts about the United States.

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  14. Being ripped apart from your family is one of the most cruelest thing that can happen to any human being. Equiano was separated from his family since a small age, and has spent his life from house to house, owner to owner. He had no option but to work for free and obey what his owners were making him to do. Also they had to deal with the hard torture they faced. The incident of Oscar Grant was an act of cruelty. Grant was killed to death by a police officer and the police officer wasn't sentenced like any other citizen would have been sentenced. This action created a big chaos with people, and they stated protesting . Why was the officer sentenced for a short period of time? Even thought we live in an improved constitution, dose the government actually pursue their own laws? The United States has improved form year to year, maybe not economic wise, but it has. Equiano would of admired the United States if he were still alive, he would notice that most of the cruelty has went away.

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  15. The amount of humane cruelty in Equiano’s autobiography is indefinite because the point of view expressed in the autobiography comes from a wealthy family, and is child from Africa where kidnappings into slavery have existed for many centuries. Equiano’s background and childhood was easy. Being from a wealthy family like Equiano’s where food was variety and plentiful, when he had tasted variations of nuts and distinguishes taste where as a peasant would have only eaten nuts for the need for survival, made times of hunger uncommon. In the sense of his kidnapping he may have not experienced hunger in his entire childhood and then changing the credibility of his autobiography. Also because of an easy background the author my not have experienced long term separation from his family where as a born slave and mallatos point of views when they did not know any of their biological parents would not have the same feelings as the author.

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  16. Human cruelty was done because of money and that’s how we see it described! I don’t think it was fair that after being a slave you had people treating you like trash or animal. They traded or sold the slave to different masters for their own needs like money and power. It was also unfair taking him apart from his family. The Oscar grant was a violation of human rights because Oscar was killed and the police officer was put into jail for like three or two months and it showed that when someone kills an animal they give them more time! That was not fair of the cop getting out when he killed someone! Olaudah Equiano would see the united states like if people glory comparing the situation in which he was in. I think he’ll think that everyone would see and talk each other with respect and with kindness.

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  17. The depth of human cruelty in the autobiography in equiano was almost impossible to imagine in this current time. Being sold and stolen time after time can make anyone lose their sanity and grasp for reality because they might soon think of themselves as a object rather than a human being. A current event that is similar to this is was in Africa, places like Somalia, Kenya and other part of the continent at different times had bloody warfare, kidnapping, and corrupt warlords who control the resistance or corrupt generals who control the government and army. Kids that grew up in Africa when there is a war would sometimes get kidnapped and forced to fight for their side. If olaudah equiano were to see the united states he would see more equality that before, a world without slavery as a main way to make money, and a world that is more advanced.

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  18. The depth of human cruelty described in this autobiography is horrifying, but sadly the truth of what happened. Equiano lived in a world where it was common to be kidnapped and than sold into slavery. Once captured, separated from his family and feeling the desire to die, he was kidnapped again and this time on his way to slavery in the Americas. Once in the ship on the middle passage, he and other slaves all suffered tragic whippings, sicknesses, and a lack of appetite. Similar events that reveal similar horrors and violations of human rights are third world poverty nations. Although they are not titled slaves, they do work hard like the slaves, they have very little to eat and suffer from several diseases and sicknesses. If Olaudah Equiano were to see the United States now in 2011, I am sure that he'd be proud that a once slave owning country has a African American President. He would be happy to be living in a world where discrimination wasn't as harsh, education was provided, and technology was advanced.

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  19. sheyla gonzales
    So I think that human cruelty is wrong for many people. Many people had a lot of history of their life and most of them are afraid to tell it. The Jews and African Americans had a harsh life the Jew were either killed or work until their last breath and African Americans we either be slaved or they got whipped for no reason. The point is that human cruelty isn't the reason for people to treat other people wrong, if you were in the other people shoes and they got treated badly and you saw how they lived wouldn’t you be sorry for that person having a miserable life and not having a life like yours. I heard people say that the only way you can get respect for someone you also need to have the same respect for them. If Olaudah Equiano saw the United States in 2011 he would have seen a lot of violence and saw many death in the streets.

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  20. gabriela martinez garcia
    The cruelty described in Equiano’s
    autobiography was sad because, it shows us how much people are greedy at times and would do anything toward power and would do anything if something stands in their way. That is something everyone can learn about and open up our eyes and see that other people’s pain must be felt to in order to something right. Some things that I can relate to his autobiography is when a lot of people still today get judged on their color of their skin , when they walk in for job but they don’t really see the real deal. It’s sad to see how people do that it’s not right in the scene that everyone deserves a chance to do right in life. He would look at our society better now because, now we have a lot more human rights but yet not ones that we expect. Who knows maybe over time things will change for better.

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  21. In his biography, Equiano was treated horribly. He was beaten and treated like a piece of meat that was waiting to be slaughtered. But the worst part about his biography was being seperated from his own family from his homeland. He was brought to a place where he thought was magical. It was a selfish act towards the Africans. They had no saying into going, they were merely forced to go upon the journey to become slaves. The current world event that is similiar is the Oscar Grant guy. He was shot to death by a officer. The officer only went to prison for three months, now that is just unfair. He was cooperating with the officer and he didn't do anything wrong at the time. He had a right to live. If Olaudah Equiano saw the United States now, he would be quite happy in a way. He would be happy that his people are free and are being treated equal now adays. But then he would also be sad because what they had to go through and how long it took just for people to realize we are all the same.

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  22. Lindsay Price-Friend
    People use cruelty to get what they want. Generally people of the wealthier class are cruel to the lower classes. People are cruel to others either separating families and tearing them apart or not treating people the proper way by dening them their rights. These days people are still being brought the the United States being told they will make lots of money, but then forced into prostitution and such. Kids are still being kidnapped and going missing everyday. Olaudah Equiano would see an improvement in our society from how it use ot be. Our society is still not perfect though.

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  23. According to Equiano's autobiography, it is evident that he experienced extreme hardship as he was repeatedly stolen and sold as a slave. However, the credibility of his account is somewhat questionable considering the position he was in was less harsh as it was for other african slaves. Instead of being whipped for stealing small pieces of food, he was whipped for not eating at all. In a sense, this meant that the slave owners did not tolerate malnourishment for their captives because it affected the profit they made. The main point, however, was that Equiano did experience many life-changing, and painful events based on what he described in his narrative. The current world events that display similar horrors and violations of human rights include the executions of individuals with gay sexual orientations in Iran. This suggests and displays that even today, people are being mistreated intensively and are being deprived of the rights that they truly deserve. Despite the fact that they are of a different sexual orientation,isn't an exception for equal rights nor does it give a reason to take the life of those innocent people for they are humans just the same. I believe that Olaudah Equiano would both be pleased with the way the United States is today. He would feel relieved because the slavery that he experienced during his time no longer exists; the United States has come a long way to end slavery, racism, and other forms of discrimination, creating a more welcoming and reassuring environment for all people.

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  24. That I account for the depth of human cruelty described in parts of this autobiography is that african americans in the americas didnt have human rights or were treated in a uncivilazide way that people would die of beatings. Many rich americans were just cruel by beating or kidnapping african for americans only because of the money and getting the job done with no hardwork from them. Is our current world reveal similar horrors and violations of human rights is a yes because of the illegal immagrants are being treated very badly working on the fields with out them getting paid or more like slaves to me if i would say. They come to the united states looking for a better tommorow when they realize that they got played by some boss saying he has a job waiting for him good salary but he ends up being a slave and they cant do nothing about it because they get deported back were they came from. If Olaudah Equiano see the United States in 2008 he would probaly think its a dream come true for african americans . Their is not much slavery and most importantly the president of the united states of america is Barak Obama the first african amerian to be in office that made history.

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  25. In Equiano’s autobiography, I account the depth of human cruelty to be very harsh. He’s been ripped apart from his family numerous of times. He’s been beaten and sold to other master’s even more. I wasn’t even sure how he was able to stay up emotionally. I think I would’ve been emotionally distraught, but I guess he didn’t have a choice. A similar violation to human rights would be the attack against the United States that happened a decade ago. Many people died that day when there were planes sent to hit the World Trade Building in New York. Many people still mourn ‘til this day about that. As for Equiano, I think he would absolutely LOVE the United States in 2008. It wasn’t any slavery and he would have been able to move a lot more freely without a whip touching his back and having to be traded to so many different places.

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  26. I believe that in the autobiography "The Intresting Narrative Life of Olaudah Equiano" human cruelty was applied because it addressed the issues of slavery.
    Taking someone away from their family should have already been bad enough. How about taking someone in as a slave and treating them as if they were your child and right when they felt comfortable around the family the slave is sold to another family. Some people might think that slavery only happens in stories or back in the early 1400's. But they're wrong, chattel slavery,bonded labor,human traffickling, forced labor, and child labor is the same thing as slavery just without it having that title. An event that I read about on the internet that reminds me of the autobiography is "The Rehab Archipelago: Abuses in Vietnam Drug Detention Centers" In Vietnam the government runs a drug detention center also known as rehab. In America they use rehab to treat or rehabilitate the drug users while in Vietnam it is more of a labor camp. They work six days a week sewing garments, processing cashews and manufacturing other items if they refuse to do the word they would be punished.

    http://www.hrw.org/features/rehab-archipelago-abuses-vietnam-drug-detention-centers

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  27. The depth of human cruelty is very deep in this auto biography on how slavery was for this one slave boy in particular. It talks about how he was taken away from his family and sold to many other families in Africa before he was finally captured for a final time and sent on the middle passage to America. Some similar things that happen like this in the world today that compare to the violation of human right are Mexican immigrant workers. I’m using this as an example because people hire these immigrants and sometimes don’t even pay them for the hard work they had just accomplished for their employer. If Olaudah Equiano saw America in 2012 he would be amazed of all the freedom we have. And how people aren’t on constant look out for people about to steal a child and how slavery is practically non-excitant.

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  28. All of it seemed really harshed. I dont know how people have the heart to do what they did to the slaves. The only things they cared about was the position they were in and for the money. There was also slaveholders that were really nice and caring with the slaves. One of the many places that this similiar events have happen is in Africa. It still is going on, slavery. The thing I dont get is why nobody does anything. They see and hear but dont do anything about it. It seems as if they want slavery to keep going for the rest of our lifes. I think Olaudah Equiano might see the U.S.A as a place in where everyone has the right to be and do anything. Not having to worry about the color they are. Having the chance and lots of opportunities to be someone in life.

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