Olaudah Equiano Research Paper

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In the case of slaves such as Equiano or Natives under the control of Columbus, many are discriminated against, even though it wasn’t their choice to come here in the first place, which results in Americans who are both accepted and not accepted. Culture and ways of life from the past have greatly influenced the opinions and attitudes of the present. In history, the treatment of minority cultures has planted the seeds for American racism today. For example, the second largest ethnic group in America, African Americans, are often mistreated and subjected to racism and prejudice. “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano”, written in 1745, tells the story of a boy from Nigeria being taken from his home and sold into slavery in Barbados. On this journey he was subjected to horrible conditions, along with various torture methods from the ship’s crew. Numerous slaves were crammed into a small space under the deck. The horrible stench of such small quarters brought death and disease to many. Equiano recalled that “The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time” (Equiano 10). In addition to such terrible living conditions, they were fed a very poor diet. Water was often contaminated after being stored on the ship for so long, so they had to drink beer. Bread …show more content…
With the very cruel and inhumane ways in which they were treated, they no longer had a reason to want to stay on the land that they had lived on for generations. This can also be tied to racism because it correlates with the ways Native Americans are treated today. Pushed onto reserves, their lives are very different than they were before Columbus arrived. This time period can also be connected to the practice of more powerful groups oppressing weaker groups for personal gain, whether it be for land, money, or
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