Slave trade and the black race - Essay Example

Slave trade and the black race Since the past shapes what the present holds, the concept of slave trade is one of the contentious issues that have shaped history of the black race. With the blacks having to suffer the consequences of their naivety, that consequently led them to be subdued by the whites, the entire concept cannot be alienated in an understanding of the history of the black people. In the view of Bailey, the concept of slave trade can be discussed as a historical activity that labeled the African continent as form of labor provision industry, as opposed to a continent of humans with the ability to subsist and develop (24). With the markets of slaves being on high demand in the African continent, the methods of capturing the same slaves intensified to an extent whereby the children were enticed with sweets so as they can add up to the list of slaves. The children were visualized as persons who would carry out simple chores, for instance, cleaning the houses of the masters. In line to this argument, it is evident that the extent to which the blacks were demoralized to the trade is simply unspeakable. This can simply be discussed as an inhuman activity, that could have kept the escalating trend were it not for the intervention of the humanitarians and economist who argued against the entire concept of slave trade. Regarding a human being as an object, and enslaving the same to a later supply in the market signifies the extent to which the Blacks were visualized. On another angle, other analysts and researchers in Black history argue that slave trade is one of the most appalling crimes that have take place in the history of the Blacks. The extent to which the Blacks experienced horror and undermine from the whites is astonishing. Diouf questions the reasons behind the continuity of the vice for a very long time and on such great extent (xiv). Additionally, questions why the same did not happen in other parts of the world, especially the new world, and why the horror had to demoralize the lives of poor Africans have always lingered in the minds of historians. This essay shall, however, endeavor to assess slave trade and the black race, and why the vice took too long and the dimensions which led to historians referring the same as horror to the Africans. The essay shall focus on both positive and negative implications of slave trade to Africans, both on societal and economic points of view. Stress shall also be shed on the complex question that argues that all forms of development must have their line on the Europeans, in its initial stages prior to more progress. Were monetary reasons the only major drivers to slave trade in Africa, or other reasons like the ‘mighty feeling’ of the whites contribute the entire case, will also be highlighted. If so, what were the implications that resulted from the same? The extent to which Africa became underdeveloped is one of the major negative impacts of the slave trade. This form of underdevelopment, in the words of Kubetzek, emanated from the fact that the young and able populace in Africa, that would have otherwise been useful in the building of the economy, were shipped to Europe and America (2). This means that the young and promising continent was robbed off its precious resource of manpower. The same was shipped to the plantations and factories in America and Europe respectively. This is a comprehensible indication of the shift in the labour patterns in Africa that left the women and children to protract the economy. Women had to perform the roles that men were taking charge of, an aspect that saw an entire breakdown of the societal roles in Africa. It is obvious that a lot of economic activities were left unattended to in the society, since women could not perform the tasks that men took part in. The most awful part is the approach in which the valuable resource was being robbed by the white man. A lot of Africans ended up being eaten by sharks while others drowned in the ocean, in the course of shipment to the New World. Apart from that, the case is worse with the contemplation that the slaves also suffered a great mile during slave raids and wars. It is understandable that the whole world visualized the entire perception of the African continent being the home of cheap labor. Wright emphasizes that the trade- voyages through the Atlantic Ocean- can merely be depicted as one of the most distressing occurrences that have ever been documented in human history (35). Nonetheless, the most exasperating aspect is that the white man was able to lure the African chiefs who made it easier for them to capture the slaves. In this case, the use of the force by the Europeans impacted the African continent in a negative manner, in that the entire society lost their able and strong men who boosted Africa’s economy, as well as brothers and fathers of several (37). Additionally, slavery in the African continent resulted in a lot of financial strains. Since the slaves in the African continent were on high demand, the rush for these slaves was very high. This implies that the remaining labor in Africa was not enough to satisfy the economic activities. In the words of the Kubetzek, Africa was experiencing a lot of dehumanizing impacts that saw the decline of the economic progress of the same (3). It is evident that after the slave trade, the African continent had a lot of strains to pick up from the effects of the trade. The masters had to put a lot of effort to mobilize its subjects towards economic regain. On a positive note, historians argue that slavery led to the advancement of human civilization in Africa. Ancient civilizations, for instance, Egypt, are credited to the labor that was produced by the slaves in the empires. With the minimal punishments and owning of slaves this, however, represents contribution of building landmarks in the concerned states. Thanks to these developments, Africa retained the name of home of human civilization in the world. Lovejoy argues that slavery existent even during the ancient times, but the white man came in with a new aura of institutionalization of the same (1). Prior to slavery in Africa, Africans had their own way of living and culture that explained their own being. This was inclusive the way of dressing, eating habits and also linguistic characteristics. With the shipment to the new world, a lot of changes were witnessed. In terms of linguistic characteristic, Africans were able to speak English since they had to learn how to communicate with the white man in their new homes. This is a clear depiction of disconnect of the African cultural links. With English being the major mode of communication among the Africans, this is a clear indication of cultural erosion in Africa in terms of culture and adoption of new culture of the whites. This is evident even in today’s world whereby a lot of African countries use the languages of the white man as a mode of communication. Slave trade is also attributed to the ails that Africans were reduced to beasts of burden by the white man. The trend was from sunrise to sunset; continuous work with minimal rests. They can, in simple terms, be referred to as beasts of burden that had to sustain what the white referred to as vital economy. This is linked to the fact that the families were currently in total breakdown. Since the slaves were raided, kidnapped and taken away without any notice, the women faced massive challenges in terms of leading and providing for the family. The children suffered equally due to the absence of the fatherly love and example in the families. Of essence, it is palpable to indicate that slave trade reduced the Africans to a working population, not for their benefit, but for the benefit of the ‘bosses’. Slave trade is also linked to various forms of torture for the black man. According to the research conducted by Davies, through slave trade a lot of brutality was imposed on the blacks (200). Some of the slaves were murdered, especially the ones who were too vocal to demand for what they assumed to be their rights, others were whipped, were subjected to torture amongst others. These led to the blacks live under the mercies of the whites, and perform the roles imposed on them so as to survive in the tough times. On another point of view, slavery among the black race was the reason behind the trauma and psychological torture that the blacks went through. This form of torture occurred when the blacks were incited amongst themselves and in one way or another, they began degrading their culture and traditions. The white race was actually considered the superior race and that all they taught to the blacks was accurate and of a higher opinion. In this case, therefore, it is valid to argue that hostility amongst the blacks was not alien, and that a great percentage of the blacks wished to change their kind of livelihood to the way of life of the white man. Gann & Duignan indicate that in one way or another, the white man demoralized the esteem of the blacks (337). This can be presumed to be to an extent that the blacks wished their lifestyle would be exactly like that of the white man. Others questioned their physical attributes, for instance, the texture of their hair, their skin color, shape of their nose amongst others. This can simply be described as Europeanization of the black man with the anticipation that they will get to the class of the whites. In relation to slavery and enlightment of the Africans, it is understandable that the slaves in Africa were not able to access education. According to Lovejoy, since the slaves were subdued by the whites (267), it was proscribed for them to attend school. This is elucidation of the verity that the simple calculation, lettering and reading was unknown to them. The white man was precautious of the fact that the learned slaves would rally then rest of the slaves into campaigning for their rights. This was the major motive behind expelling them from schooling. For fear of a mutiny arising among them, the black race suffered the penalties of lack of education amongst themselves. This explains the reasons behind the huge numbers of Africans which are uninformed and illiterate. An ignorant populace is without a doubt a menace, since they do not have the ability to make proper choices in terms of development ideas in the continent. In addition, this explicates why Africa comprises of the third world states, which are typified by ignorance, dearth, starvation, natural catastrophe, HIV/AIDS amongst other problems. Convincingly, one would agree with the argument by Gann & Duignan who indicate that slave trade in Africa can be termed as one of the worst evils history has ever recorded (332). As Law indicates, the process of the decline of the slave trade took a process (7). However, the adverse effects of the same cannot be ignored. Law continues to argue though the black race was willing to end the slave trade; it is evident that some communities still maintained ties with the white man for their own selfish gains, where he gives an example of the Dahomey Empire that was involved in long periods of slave trade in the then economy (8). Though William Wilberforce managed to have the gate pass to champion for the abolition of slave trade in the year 1789, a lot of controversies, according to Law, amongst them politics surround the entire theme (7). All in all, the negatives of the entire process according to the essay outweigh the positives of slave trade. The contributions of humanitarians like Wilberforce and economist Adam Smith who argued that free people are more productive than when enslaved gave the Africans a chance to exercise their rights and freedoms. Works Cited Bailey, Anne. African Voices of the Atlantic Slave Trade: Beyond The Silence And The Shame. New York: Beacon Press, 2005. Print. Davies, Carole. Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture, Volume 1. New York: ABC-CLIO, 2008. Print. Diouf, Anna. Fighting the Slave Trade: West African Strategies. Ohio: Ohio University Press, 2003. Print. Gann, Lewis and Peter Duignan. Africa and the World: An Introduction to the History of Sub-Saharan Africa from Antiquity to 1840. New York: University Press of America, 1972. Print. Kubetzek, Kathrin. The Atlantic Slave Trade: Effects on Africa. New York: GRIN Verlag, 2012. Print. Law, Robin. The Impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade Upon Africa. New York: LIT Verlag Münster, 2008. Print. Lovejoy, Paul. Transformations in Slavery: A History of Slavery in Africa. London: Cambridge University Press, 2011.Print. Wright, William. Critical Reflections on Black History. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. Print. Read More