Many Americans tend to view slavery with horror, shock, disbelief, and even denial. The imagery is painful and wrenching as the level of cruelty and brutality is unparallel in scope among the annals of human history. The long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean enclosed in cramped quarters, shackled around the ankles, wrists, and neck by iron chains allowed little in the way of mobility or comfort for the captive slaves. Many slaves grew sick and diseased from the cramped conditions, darkness, and dampness, lack of proper ventilation, sanitation, as well as suffering the devastating effect of malnutrition. The gravely ill slaves are separated from the healthy so as not to infect the other slaves. Those slaves who would not survive the long and arduous voyage were tossed overboard to the waiting arms of the sea and the various schools of sharks that follow the slaver's ships.
Even the few healthy slaves who were allowed onto the deck of the ship either mutinied or voluntarily flung their infant young or themselves into the churning sea because they reasoned, " it is better to die free than live in bondage.” The terror from witnessing the piercing screams of life's last struggle by those appointed for death was enough to break even the staunchest survivor's spirit. Some of the male slaves, cruelly forced to do the rowing, tasted the lash of the whip on their strong backs and sinewy shoulders. A voyage of the damned, awaiting a fateful and uncertain future in a strange land, a trail of tears and blood, anguish of soul and spirit, and at the bottom of the ocean depths, a valley of incalculable bones and skeletons, bridging ‘Alkebulan’ (Africa) to the New World of the Americas.
It is ironic that feet which once danced to the drumbeat of freedom and that chased the swiftest of animals are now forced to walk single file down the gangplank, in one long chain of human misery, to be auctioned off one by one or in groups, to the highest bidder. In this assemblage stood proud, erect, and strong bodies that in the past triumphantly marched in valorous combat or religious ceremonial dances, now bent over and broken. The clanking sounds made by the metal chain links of iron, worn as a symbol of subjugation by the slaves, drown out the pulse-pounding heartbeat of their fear and horror. The prospective owners examine and inspect the human captives as one would a dumb animal for purchase. Men with vile hands touch and examine individuals of similar flesh and blood; no areas of the body deemed too personal or private.
The powerful, virile ‘Mandingo warrior’ type male slave would do the labor-intensive work in the fields. The female slave with full breasts as well as wide hips, are utilized for breeding, and the elderly or infirm slaves worked inside the “big house” as domestic slaves. Slave mothers had their infant children forcibly snatched from their protective bosoms and sold to another slaveholder right before their eyes. Emasculated male slaves have their manhood stripped away from them, as they are unable to protect the female from sexual abuse and rape by depraved white men. One can only imagine the fear and confusion experienced by this special group of people torn from their motherland.
These people not only lost their families, but their oral histories, traditions, and native languages as well. According to an old African proverb, “those who do not know their history are dead.” The irony is that the word, ‘Negro’, which etymologically means, ‘dead’’, and it doesn’t matter if a person is referred to as Colored, Afro-American, Black, or African-American, it essentially comes down to the same thing; a loss of cultural identity. Whether one admits it or not, the evidence can be seen in the lifestyle choices that a number of African-Americans make.
Because of the devastating impact of slavery in America some nearly three centuries later, a particular segment of American society still struggle to find not only their ‘roots’, but also a sense of unity, self-determination and a rich legacy of pride and accomplishments to pass along to succeeding generations. This ongoing dilemma does not in any way exonerate White America about her past, that horrible legacy of “chattel slavery”, and it cannot be forgotten since it is indelibly etched in our national consciousness and history. America cannot deny that this event took place nor can she justify its legitimacy.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
pbks@hotmail.com
