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Comparative Analysis There is no doubt that Black slavery will go down in history as one of the most shameful periods in European and American histories. Racial inequality was being exploited in most disgusting manner Black people used to be rounded up and shipped over to various locations so they could become slaves, once there. At this time it was very little known about slaves fate among Whites, as most of slaves were being illiterate. In fact, they werent even considered being people in the full sense of this word. Christianity was there to encourage this, as Blacks were thought to be descendants of Ham cursed to have dark skin and doomed to remain servants forever. Yet, as time went by, Black people begin to think about whether such state of affairs was justified.
Some of them got educated because their masters whim and this prompted such privileged slaves to tell the world about their experiences in written form. One of such men was Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa, who wrote The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa in 1789. Along with Booker Washingtons Up From Slavery his book is now considered a classic of Black American literature. Let us compare these two works, so we get a better understanding of what slavery was all about, from slaves prospective. By analyzing books of both authors were also going to be able to think of slavery as concept in transition, which is very important if were to draw conclusions. I believe there are few events in my life which have not happened to many; it is true the incidents of it are numerous, and, did I consider myself an European, I might say my sufferings were great; but when I compare my lot with that of most of my countrymen (Equiano, p. 6) thats how Equiano begins his story.
He tells us about how he was being kidnapped by the members of rivaling tribe, while still a child, and made to be slave. From his story it appears that slavery was widely spread among Africans, who practiced it from the dawn of time. This notion is now largely overlooked by politically correct watchdogs, yet it is important to understand that Europeans had never forcibly introduced slavery to Black people. They actually used to buy slaves off Black slave owners.
In this respect, it appears doubtful that White people were behind corruption of Blacks, as modern historians want us to believe it actually happened other way around. Still, being slave in Africa was totally different from being slave in America. Equiano shows us innumerable sufferings that black slaves experienced on the way to their destinations. Usually only half of transported men would survive the trip. The conditions abroad slave ships were appalling - shrieks of the women, and groans of the dying accompanied Equiano on his way to West Indies. In the end, Equiano manages to become a free man and he moves to London, where he begins to promote the ideas of abolitionism.
Hes rightly considered as one of founding fathers of this political movement. He strongly believed that slavery was immoral to a large degree, yet it also appeared very natural to Equiano. He never actually objected it in plain words. All that he wanted to promote was better treatment of slaves: by changing your conduct, and treating your slaves as men, every cause of fear would be banished.
They would be faithful, honest, intelligent, and vigorous; and peace, prosperity, and happiness would attend you. (Equiano, p. 100) Equiano considers himself being much more European than African. There are no longing for identity sentiments can be found in his book. He actually considers himself being really lucky hed never be able to see the world and become literate if it wasnt up to Whites. Yet, in my opinion, we cant think of Equiano's book being filled with outdated ideas.
Quite contrary many Blacks, who are in search of identity, drastically change their views after having visited Africa to find their roots. They simply dont ever want to come back to Africa again and instead of being called African-Americans, they prefer to be referred to as just Americans. Equiano was the first among black writers to realize that his fellow slaves were unfairly treated also because of White racism. In his book Equiano suggests that racial mixing in future might lead to elimination of it.
We can see now that author was able to foresee social dynamics of modern society, although it also appears that he was unable to grasp the essence of racism as he only attributed it to Whites. Still, we need to give Equiano credit for never making fetish out of this issue like many people do today. About Booker Washingtons Up From Slavery we can say that this book marks next step in development of Black political thought. Booker Taliaferro Washington was born in 1856 in Virginia and his early years he spent being a slave. His name is now associated with Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which he founded when he was 25 for the professional development of Black people.
He was the first Black person to have his image engraved on American fifty cents coin. Up From Slavery is now widely criticized by racially conscious Blacks for being apolitical. Right at the beginning of his book Washington stated: Political activity alone cannot make a man free. Back of the ballot, he must have property, industry, skill, economy, intelligence, and character. (Washington, p. 12) This book, just as Equiano's, is an autobiography. Washington describes his early years as slave and his later mental and professional development.
There is only one thing that allowed Washington to rise from slave to a teacher an education. He credits it with everything and rightly suggests that Black people need to raise their educational level first in order for them to become competitive with Whites. Washington wants to convince his readers that they have to be genuinely interested in getting knowledge and never pass any opportunity to learn more: The older I grow, the more I am convinced that there is no education which one can get from books and costly apparatus that is equal to that which can be gotten from contact with great men and women. Instead of studying books so constantly, how I wish that our schools and colleges might learn to study men and things. (Washington, p. 44) Washington, with his own example, shows us that ones courage and persistence can move mountains. From very beginning he had a goal of becoming someone, yet he knew that chances of this happening werent very good because of his race and his social status. But this never stopped his determination; he was willing to do whatever it takes to make his dreams come true.
There is moving account of him trying to enroll in Hampton Institute in Virginia. The only way for Black person to get an education back than was to make his way through school. He was asked to sweep room after he arrived there, later he confessed: I had the feeling that in a large measure my future depended upon the impression I made upon the teacher in the cleaning of that room. (Washington, p. 43) Still, just as Equiano, Washington thinks that all the hardships that he experienced throughout his life had only benefited him in the long run. He knew that there is an injustice, yet he was never making point out of it: The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race. (Washington, p. 99) Washington shows himself as a great stoic, his book can be compared to autobiographical books of Jack London or Rudyard Killing and thats why it gained so much respect among White readers.
Modern black politicians accuse him of being soft but this is far from truth. Washington simply never whined and always acted like a man instead of blaming the whole world for alleged injustices. He never had illusions about Whites becoming the best friends of Blacks, yet he suggested that all Americans have some common interest, regardless of their race. In my opinion, Washingtons Up From Slavery has the right to be counted among best books of early twentieth century. Whats really appealing to me is the fact that Washington emphasizes on social aspects of improving Black peoples lives. I think that he would agree with Jim Goads thesis that racism is like a rush it will never heal as long as it is being constantly scratched.
When we compare works of both authors it appears that there is lot in common can be found in how they percept surrounding reality. Still, if Equiano narratives are basically nothing but observations, Washingtons Up From Slavery is much more analytical. This, of course, corresponds to the fact that Blacks educational level in 19 th century was considerably higher than in 18 th. When there were only handful of them being able to speak English during colonial period, in 19 th century this language became native to majority of African-Americans. Another common feature of both books is that theyre heavily Christianized. From todays prospective it appears clear that this religion was nothing but a tool for keeping Blacks subdued.
Yet, many Black intellectuals back than didnt seem to understand that. Right up to sixties majority of slave descendants were influenced by this religion to such extend that they could not stand up for their rights effectively. In my view, this is only one shortcoming of both authors attitude. Black leaders of nowadays realize this and thats why more and more African-American converts to Islam. Yet, I think that since we live in post-religion era, switching religious belief cant really contribute any particular group of people. It is much better to drop it altogether and begin to work on raising own intellectual level.
Equiano's The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa and Up From Slavery of Booker T. Washington is very fine example of Blacks political consciousness in transition. They both contain an idea that, in my opinion, is only the one that can make people of this country feel being part of the same nation, regardless of their race education and progress is the foremost priority, everything else is secondary. I would strongly recommend reading these two books to all proponents of multiculturalism and racial secularism. Bibliography: Washington, Booker Up From Slavery Airport Edition. New York. 1967 Equiano, Olaudah The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African Bedford Books of St.
Martin's Press. New York. 1995
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