Slavery is to most white people, as the trade of colored people. I was a slave owner for nine years. I supported slavery and I thought the purpose of Negroes was to pick cotton out on the plantation. I thought it made them happy and safe. Then one day, my wife told me to read a novel called "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano". After reading the novel, I could not believe how mean slavery to these people was! Of course, I had a plantation to run and a family to raise, so I never cared how the slaves got here, as long as they were here and I could afford these slaves. I realized these are people, just like you and me, and people shouldn't treat Negroes so poorly just because of the color of their skin. In Equiano's story he talked about the terrible living conditions. Equiano said: "This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable and filth of necessary tubs, in which the children often fell, and almost suffocated." This quote talks about the conditions these Africans faced on their six to ten week journey to America. The lack of fresh air from being confined together at the bottom of the vessel, unsanitary toilet facilities, a rotten smell, and overcrowded with Africans was a big problem. A majority of the Negroes died on the journey. When the passage came to an end, they were conducted immediately to the merchant's yard, were they were pent together like cattle. On the day of selling, a signal is given and the buyers rush to choose what "item" they like best. What makes this a tragedy is these Negroes with feelings and want a life of their own with freedom. This is an inhumane way to trade these people. We people in Richmond should take action and try to at least make a stand and help these innocent people. Its God's Way.
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