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The diary excerpt is from the perspective of one enslaved woman who was forced onto a boat. It will help a reader better understand the slave trade, the daily lives of enslaved people, and the events that led to emancipation. The story is based on personal experience and may not represent all enslaved people during this period. The story takes place in the southern United States, but slavery existed in every state at one time or another. It is a heart-wrenching reality for an enslaved woman. Forced onto boats with little more than the clothes on her back, the woman had to face an uncertain future. The purpose of this diary is to provide a first-hand account of what slavery in America was like during the 17th century.
Monday, Fear and Mourning
On Monday morning, I woke up to the sound of someone pounding on the door. I was unsure why there was so much noise because it was still early. I got out of bed and headed to the door, only to find several people armed with rifles. One of them stepped forward and told me that I would be taken away. I did not know what was happening, but I was terrified. I cried as I was led away from my home, family, and everything I knew (Jacobs, 1861).
I spent the day in shock, not understanding what was happening to me or why. I kept asking myself if that was a dream, but I knew it was not. I was on a boat, crossing unknown waters as the sun beat mercilessly, and there was little shelter from the heat. Strangers surrounded me, and I did not know what would happen to me, but I was dumbfounded and confused. I tried to keep my mind off things, but it was hard.
Tuesday, Hope in Fading Light
The captain had promised liberty for some time, and I could not help but feel hopeful that I would finally be free. The only problem was that I was not sure of whom to trust. The captain had lied before, and I could not help but worry that I might be sold into slavery once we reached the land (Berlin, 2004). I kept telling myself that it would not happen, but it was hard to remain positive when things were uncertain. I was slowly starting to accept the new reality when I heard the constant drone of the boat, carrying me further and further away from my home. I thought of my parents, brothers, and all the people I might never see again in my village. My heart felt heavy and empty at the same time. All I could think about was my family and how I would see them again.
It was strange how my life had been changed in just a few days by forces outside my control. Nothing was familiar to me anymore, not even the sounds I heard, the language spoken, or the people around me (Berlin, 2004). We had been at sea for days, and I needed to figure out where the boat was heading or what would happen once we reached our destination. I was determined to survive no matter what, but despair had become a close companion on the journey.
Wednesday, Bidding Farewell to Home
I got on the boat on the third day, knowing it was a one-way ticket to my future. I wanted to scream out for my family but could not find them in the crowd. With a heart filled with despair and anguish, I said goodbye to home, not knowing if I would ever see it again. I was being packed like sardines on the old ships deck, and I was barely given enough space to move (Berlin, 2004). The air was thick with fear and hopelessness as I looked at the horizon before them, dreading what lay ahead. As I waved farewell to my homeland and sailed into the unknown, all I could think of was how much pain my family must have felt parting from me.
The waves were getting more robust, and the boat was shaking so much that it felt like it could break apart at any moment. I could feel the fear in the air, which was hard to breathe. I was looking out at the horizon but did not know what I was seeking. All I knew was that I was alone, with an expanse of sea and sky around me (Berlin, 2004). It was terrifying to think of being forced further away from home. The only thing that gave me solace was knowing that God would never abandon me in such a troubled time of uncertainty. My faith guided me and gave me strength when all failed. No matter what happened, I kept holding hope for a long time.
Friday, Life on the Plantation
Unfortunately, I found myself in a large field of the plantation, but I did not understand what had transpired. I lived on a plantation, which seemed like paradise compared to the cities conditions, but it was still nothing close to freedom. My days were regimented, starting with the sun rising and ending with the long hours of darkness (Jacobs, 1861). There was little time for rest and even less for pleasure. I worked in the fields from dawn until dusk, often under the blistering sun or through the pounding rain. I could carry buckets of water and hoe yards until my hands were bloody and blistered. My skin became dark from the sun, and my hair was nappy from neglect. I had never seen a mirror, but I knew I was not what those who owned me considered beautiful. I was like a property, something to be used and abused as the white masters saw fit. I was treated less than human, a thing to be pitied but not loved.
My days were full of heartache and hardship because my master controlled much of my life, but I was determined to find small ways to resist. Despite the threats and punishments, I found joy in nature and music. I saw the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets, even though I had to work from dawn to dusk. I sang spiritual hymns, knowing it was a way to remember and honour my African heritage.
Though it was dangerous for enslaved people to do so, we gathered together at night for storytelling or dancing. In addition to providing emotional relief, these gatherings were a form of passive resistance by uniting against our oppressors in secret. Though it seemed impossible at times, freedom eventually came in with the passing of the thirteenth amendment (Jacobs, 1861). However, achieving absolute freedom would still be a long time coming. Tangible rights like voting, education, or owning property were seen until years later.
The time had come to fight for my freedom, but the fight was more difficult than I had imagined. The Abolition movement sought to end slavery, and the Emancipation Proclamation declared that all enslaved persons were free, but my freedom was not as clear-cut as that. There were various court battles on issues, including whether the Proclamation applied to particular regions and the struggle for abolished state privileges throughout the years preceding and following the Proclamation. I felt the implications of this long struggle for freedom with each passing day (Jacobs, 1861). There were moments of joy when I saw progress and moments of despair when rights were taken away or not fully granted. I learned that I could not always trust what people said and instead had to rely on myself to ensure safety and freedom were won and fully upheld.
In conclusion, the diary of an enslaved woman is a heart-wrenching account of the trials and tribulations that one woman faced during her lifetime. It is a story of strength and resilience, of a woman who fought against all odds to survive. It is a story of hope, of a woman who dreamed of a better future for herself and her family. It is impossible to fully comprehend the horror and the heartbreak that this woman went through, and it is a reminder of how important it is to fight for justice and equality. It is essential to pass this kind of stories from generation to generation so that the lessons learned from struggles can bring about lasting changes in society.
References
Berlin, I. (2004). Generations of captivity: A history of African-American slaves. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Jacobs, H. A. (1861). Incidents in the life of a slave girl: Jacobs, Mrs Harriet (Brent). Published for the author.
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