Equaino's Slave Narrative

What happens to community when the American Dream is not available to all? How does the community respond to this inequality?

Essential Question:
Equaino's Slave Narrative:During slave times, many African Americans were abused and stripped of all their rights of the American Dream; however Equaino was a man that stood up for himself and did whatever was necessary to be afforded the same American Dream as the fortunate. Equaino stood up for himself when he was called out of his name until he couldn't bear the punishment any longer. Equaino shares this to show how he was a strong person and how he wanted to overcome these times. Equaino thought that if the slave master change their character and treated them as men, then they could have happiness. This shows how the slave masters treated them and that the American Dream was not offered to African Americans slaves that wanted something from life. This narrative is a great piece of literature that shows how someone tries to receive the American Dream when its not afforded to them.

Robert,Allison."Equaino's Slave Narrative".1995.21March2008.<http://www.princeton.edu/~howarth/304.Projects/Erera/Pages/Narrative.htm>.
"While I was on board this ship, my captain and master named me Gustavus Vassa. I at that time began to understand him a little, and refused to be called so, and told him as well as I could that I would be called Jacob; but he said I should not, and still called me Gustavus: and when I refused to answer to my new name, which I at first did, it gained me many a cuff; so at length I submitted, and by which I have been known ever since." (61)

Reaction:
Equaino's Slave Narrative, is an important piece of literature, that I think should be read by everyone. In this narrative, Equaino shares the story of life as a slave. His first paragraph begins with him telling the readers that he thought this was something important, that needed to be shared. I believe that it was right for him to share this story, so people could know the real truth behind slavery. Equaino took pride in the challenges that were brought before him because it made him a stronger person. While in slavery he was able to gain an education which gave him an advantage over most African-American slaves. I think an education is one of the most powerful necessities that a person has and he was very fortunate as a slave to gain this knowledge. After reading this narrative, I realized that he was a strong-willed person that stood up for himself and what he thought was right. When he told the story about him being on the boat and the man giving him a name that he didn't like and him taking the punishment for a while before he accepted it; I thought this was great and it showed the strong person that he was and it carried him on to be a success. Equaino made me realize the true things that went on during slavery and the hardships that African-Americans faced daily. I believe that he was a great person and I thank him for sharing his story to help everyone feel the true meaning of slavery.

Diary:

Dear Diary,

As an African American slave, I have faced alot of hardships but I have continued to grow and develop skills that will help me survive. I have been abused, verbally,mentally, and physically but I still continue to be a strong young man and do as I am told. My spirits are high and one day I wish for all this to stop and live a normal life. I had one experience that changed me for the better when I was on a boat and called out of my name and I told him my name and he refused to call me by that; I continued to correct him until it gained me a cuff and I began to accept. Being an African American slave, I am very fortunate because I was able to gain an education during these troubled times. I am a strong-willed person and I stand up for what I think is right, and slavery is something that I think should stop. One day I hope all this could stop, and every man could be treated equally.

Sincerely yours,

Equaino

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Slaves_in_chains_(grayscale).png/545px-Slaves_in_chains_(grayscale).png