Historical Analysis of Slavery: Comparing Equiano and Sojourner Truth

This essay defines slavery through the experiences of Olaudah Equiano and Sojourner Truth, highlighting the dehumanization and lack of bodily autonomy endured by slaves. It discusses the mental disconnection slaves faced, torn between resistance and the deadly consequences of rebellion. The essay explores the difficult circumstances of forced labor, family separation, and the witnessing of violence, further examining the economic and political factors that perpetuated slavery despite resistance. Equiano's narrative focuses on his early life and kidnapping, while Sojourner Truth's story emphasizes the role of religion in her fight for racial equality and women's rights. The essay concludes by reflecting on the distinct experiences and contributions of both figures in raising awareness about the injustices of slavery.

Equiano and Sojourner Truth
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Construct a definition of slavery, speaking to the experiences described in Olaudah
Equiano, and the diary of Sojourner Truth. To be a slave meant the person did not own his/
her body. The body was considered property owned by a white man. A slave did own their own
mind, but there was a disconnection between the two because the mind can have thoughts about
revolting or escaping, but the body did not follow due to deadly consequences that would follow
if such thought was put into motion. Writer and public speakers such as Olaudah Equiano and
Sojourner Truth fought and lived through painful experiences that they used to educate white
people. To tell those people about harsh times that they never experienced because they were not
black or considered less than human (Equiano & Vassa., 2013). They expressed the knowledge
through writing personal narratives to public speeches. The main ideas of these writings and
speeches were to bring awareness to people about the treatment of slaves and the impact it had
on their lives.
What are some circumstances that strike you as particularly difficult to
endure? Slaves were forced to do labour work, working on fields such as plantations and house
chores. Slaves were mentally affected because they were separated from their own family at a
young age and slaves experienced and witnessed discipline action from their masters.
Why did slavery persist despite resistance? The need for labourers to work in the
plantations, fields, industries and homes of their masters meant that the whites needed slaves at
all cost. Besides, the African leaders at the time sold their citizens to slavery so that they could
get wealth. The need for wealth by African leaders and the need for slaves by the whites kept the
slavery going on for long periods (Gilbert & Truth, 1991). Slavery existed throughout the 18th
century through the mid-19th century. This was a period where African American or blacks as
they were called by people who believed in white supremacy were hurt physically and mentally.

Olaudah Equiano wrote about his experiences but was restricted because of his targeted audience
and Sojourner Truth a former slave who educated people about racial equality and women’s
right.
What did you think of the descriptions by Equiano and Sojourner Truth? The
experience was different from Equiano and Sojourner Truth because they were born with the
family that loved and cared for them. Olaudah Equiano talks about his experiences with his sister
and mother. Equiano’s mother adored him, and they had a great relationship until they were
separated because Equiano and his sister were kidnapped (Equiano & Vassa., 2013). Sojourner
Truth had a mother that taught her to say prayers, and ultimately religion was her way to freedom
from slavery teaching others about racial equality and women rights from reading the bible.

References
Equiano, O., & Vassa., O. E. (2013). The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano
(Written by Himself). Alejandro's Libros.
Gilbert, O., & Truth, S. (1991). Narrative of Sojourner Truth, a Bondswoman of Olden Time:
With a History of Her Labors and Correspondence Drawn from Her "Book of Life".
Oxford, England: Oxford University Press on Demand.