Re-establishing countries bad?

Also in Africa, there was all different tribes that had been established long before we came along. Then the US and Europe went over and started making our own countries like Liberia. I feel as though they made things worst for Africa because they were dividing or grouping people that never were together in the first place. What do you think?

The different names of Equiano

An important part of this book is right on the cover. In the title, Equiano puts all three of his names that represent him. There is Olaudah Equiano, Gustavus Vassa and the African. I think that putting all three names in the title shows his progression in life. First he was Equiano, which was his birth name, when he was a free man. After being enslaved, his master changed his name to Gustavus Vassa. This showed how in controlled he was at that time. The name also belonged to a nobleman, which seemed ironic to the situation. He fought the name but then gave in. The African is at the end of his journey. He became a Christian in the Americans after being freed but still was not considered the same as the “white man.” In the beginning, he was not the same as other people that lived in Africa, they were different people even if from the same country. Now after his journeys, he became “the African.” All the people involved in the slave trade were then referred to as “Africans” even though they might not consider themselves Africans. Although they, in a way, bonded and became brothers in America, where we branded them different even after they were “free.”

Still not getting the blogging we need.

I'm really at a lost just now.  There are some regular commentators and those who when asked will post, but we haven't achieved the critical mass in the class to make for a real discussion online that would make up for the missing class.  That's just disappointing to me because there are some in class who are making the effort.  Sure, it will show up in the grades, but that's hardly the point.

Why compare to the Jews?

Equiano continuously compares his people with the Jews because he believes that the Africans and the Jews originated from the same descendants. “Indeed this is the opinion of Dr. Gill, who, in his commentary on Genesis, very ably deduces the pedigree of the Africans from Afer and Afra, the descendents of Abraham by Keturah his wife and concubine.” (p.20)

In regards to his tribe, Equiano believes that the society of his upbringing was governed in the same way as the Jews were governed. “Like the Israelites in their primitive state, our government was conducted by of chiefs or judges, our wisemen, and elders; and the head of a family, with us, enjoyed a similar authority over his household with that which is ascribed to Abraham and the other Patriarchs.” (p.20)

I think that Equiano uses the Jews as an example because he believes that they portray his people best due to their similar traditions and superstitions.

Do you agree with my analysis?

"Pluck the chicken, but don't make it scream

This has been the the way of Haiti since the beginning of time. Even today after the earth quack that distroyed 1/2 the country the people in charge want to put a tax on the medical supplies and food that gets into the country to save the people of Haiti. Always keep them struggling. Even if we give all the money that was collected and give it to the people to rebuild their country, their country will find a way to tax it and collect it for them selves. Keeping the people at bay, just giving them what they need to survive keeps them quite and for the people of america who are triing to get their loved ones out for years still find themselves feeding their country money and no one leaves. This country is still a slave driven country and struggle to live as free. When they hire people to rebuild their country they will start in Port of Prince where Americans tend to visit and when country and political people are settled they will see what is left over for the real haitians in the country. Already the news for Haiti has stopped and I am sure there is still people dieing because they can not get food and water,but they are rebuilding the richer parts of Haiti. The so called " New Haiti" The new Revolution will begin soon when all who have lost all begin to fight to get just a little and America will be back in there triing to make Haiti whole again.

I want my revolution.

Where's OUR revolution?

posted 6 minutes ago by Dan Albert
So now we're looking at Equiano offering an idea that, while not revolutionary in itself, will lead ultimately to the very revolutionary act of EMANCIPATION.  Emancipation is revolutionary not because it frees people but because it TAKES PROPERTY.  Never before or since has the US government in one fell swoop taken so much private property and obliterated it as property.  So revolutionary is this act, in fact, that when the HAITIAN REVOLUTION happens - first in 1791 then for real in 1804, the US government insists that the slave holding French be paid off.

So, as I read about the FRENCH REVOLUTION and compare it to the AMERICAN i cannot help but wonder how truly revolutionary the US was.  The freeing of the slaves seems out of character.

Her's more evidence that we're not so revolutionary: in France the Third Estate led the revolution after about a decade of economic trouble.  Here we are in an economic crisis, we are told, with unemployment and all the rest, but no revolution.  Why not?  Where is our revolution?  I don't look forward to the Reign of Terror, but a revolution might be fun, especially if it is televised.