Slavery (Diary Entry)
Uploaded by xingyang on Feb 19, 2015
1821-
Every single day of this dreadful journey, I still contemplate what could’ve happened if I was not intrigued by the colossal ship and the beautiful merchandises. I still recall the events that led to my capture, countless European traders rushed down from the boat, enticing us to buy red handkerchiefs, dress goods, beads, bells, and trinkets in many colours. Numerous black men and women rushed into the boats to receive some accessories. However, it was a massive hoax… they began forcing us below the deck and locked us up before the transportation to America. European men dragged me below the deck and began separating us into numerous groups. What occurred next was horrendous... They started physically violating us, treating us like shameless beasts as they chained us to planks of rugged wood. My skin was in constant contact with the people beside me; there was barely any space between me and the other victims. It felt as if I was being jammed into an undersized coffin crammed with multiple people… Furthermore, the stench was horrible, absolutely horrendous! Concoctions of excretion, vomit and sweat piled up in lavatory buckets; we were deprived the luxury of toilets… When we needed to defecate; we were obliged to do it in the position we were chained. Causing vomit and excretion to pile up in the lavatory buckets. Moreover, the overseer's neglect us and doesn't bother to clean up the lavatory buckets. Causing them to overflow; eventually coming into contact with our feet. They even deprived us necessities such as food. Even when we got fed; it was always repugnant rice and beans without any flavouring at all. It tasted like expired food that has been regurgitated multiple times. Sometimes when I eat the food, it comes straight out again… I hate how I can't do anything about this. God how long must I endure this diabolical journey? The European traders said the voyage would last 6-8 weeks, but can I really trust them?
1842-
I was sent to Virginia, where an auction was held to determine my master. They stripped me down naked, forced me to jump around and overall embarrassed me to the point of death. After that, I was sent to the plantations, and it wasn’t any better than the Middle Passage journey… I didn’t work for a pay cheque, I worked for my survival and the avoidance of torture. However, even if I...