Week #1- Blog 1
This past week had two major events to reflect upon. We had a very interesting and contradicting reading about Thomas Jefferson's notes on Virginia and the declaration of independence. Along with the dark and treacherous voyage and journey of Equiano.
Both of the texts by Jefferson revolved around Jefferson's ideas and his thoughts on slavery. The declaration of Independence mostly tried to state that all men are equal and should be free from the oppression coming from the British. This idea contradicts with what he states in the notes of Virginia. In the notes of Virginia he continuously demotes the Africans and treats them so differently to the point of experimenting on them to see if anything different would happen to them compared to the white man. This level of hate towards the Africans was surprising and detestable.
Equiano contained a much more evil and dark story behind it. The treatment of the Slaves by the white was absolutely horrifying especially for such a young boy like Equiano. He was subjected to such hardships and treachery and without even having anything to hold on to. His true culture would definitely be debatable among a classroom, but the much clearer answer is that he is African. Although he was only in Africa for 12 years that should not make his alliance to Europe closer. He is an African not only due to skin color, language and character but also because from his heart he is truly African.
Both of the texts by Jefferson revolved around Jefferson's ideas and his thoughts on slavery. The declaration of Independence mostly tried to state that all men are equal and should be free from the oppression coming from the British. This idea contradicts with what he states in the notes of Virginia. In the notes of Virginia he continuously demotes the Africans and treats them so differently to the point of experimenting on them to see if anything different would happen to them compared to the white man. This level of hate towards the Africans was surprising and detestable.
Equiano contained a much more evil and dark story behind it. The treatment of the Slaves by the white was absolutely horrifying especially for such a young boy like Equiano. He was subjected to such hardships and treachery and without even having anything to hold on to. His true culture would definitely be debatable among a classroom, but the much clearer answer is that he is African. Although he was only in Africa for 12 years that should not make his alliance to Europe closer. He is an African not only due to skin color, language and character but also because from his heart he is truly African.
Maaz, I agree with the sentiment that there is something ineluctably African about Equiano. I wonder, though... do you think it matters that he chose to publish in English? Even if he were African in all but his knowledge of the English language, is it not possible that the language itself would interfere with his ability to express his African mind?
ReplyDeleteI think that the reason why Notes on the state of Virginia demotes Africans, is because at the time period, they were not "proven", by Jefferson's standards to be Human. The proposed experiments were to find out if they were sub-human or non-human, but were never conducted. However, I agree that they were truly horrendous. The declaration of Independence claimed that all men should be treated equal, however there was an underlying message, that said Only white men. Not including Females, Africans, indentured servants, and Native Americans. This meant that you had to fit a criteria of owning land and such to be treated equal. That's probably why they contradicted each other. I completely agree with your sentiment though.
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