Equaino's Slave Narrative

http://www.wsu.edu:8000/~dee/Equiano.html

Excerpt from "The Life of Gustavus Vassa"

One white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast, that he died in consequence of it; and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute. This made me fear these people the more; and I expected nothing less than to be treated in the same manner. I could not help expressing my fears and apprehensions to some of my countrymen; I asked them if these people had no country, but lived in this hollow place? (the ship) they told me they did not, but came from a distant one. 'Then,' said I, 'how comes it in all our country we never heard of them?' They told me because they lived so very far off. I then asked where were their women? had they any like themselves? I was told they had. 'And why,' said I, 'do we not see them?' They answered, because they were left behind. I asked how the vessel could go? they told me they could not tell; but that there was cloth put upon the masts by the help of the ropes I saw, and then the vessel went on; and the white men had some spell or magic they put in the water when they liked, in order to stop the vessel. I was exceedingly amazed at this account, and really thought they were spirits. I therefore wished much to be from amongst them, for I expected they would sacrifice me; but my wishes were vainÑ-for we were so quartered that it was impossible for any of us to make our escape.

The slaves were brutally abused and many suffered serious wounds, or were killed, from the abuse they received from their masters. Equaino recalls the flogging he witnessed on board the ship, telling just how grotesque it was.

Diary:

Today I witnessed yet another death on the deck of the ships. For stealing some extra food, one of the slaves was punished with 40 floggings. Near the end, his body spasmed and went limp. Soon after, it seems, he passed away.

When will this unfair suffering end? We have done nothing to deserve this and wish only for it to end. Still, we pray for some kind of miracle and release from our captivity, but the days pass uneventfully...

Essential Question:

Although the slaves were brought over to America during this period, they were not given a chance at obtaining the American Dream. However, had they been given an opportunity as the European Americans they may have just as easily reached fame and fortune.