The first archival object I would like to speak about is an image of Sojourner Truth. Sojourner advocated for woman’s rights and she was an abolitionist. She was born 1797 which was two years before Act for The Gradual Elimination of Slavery, under the act she was to be “slave for life.” I found this to be impressive because there were few ladies fighting for rights of slaves or women in general. She was able to write a biography ” Narrative of Sojourner Truth A Northern Slave.” In her writing she spoke of her life as a slave and she even speak of her slave owners. Phyllis Wheatley paved the way for woman to start movements and she is the first African American Women to publish a book of poetry. Though Phyllis Wheatly is older than Sojourner they shared the same sentiments and believed in the same things such as freedom, ending slavery and religion. In one of Phyllis Wheatley poems she stated “Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” The quote was strong and displayed the faith the black women had during slavery times. Even though they were held captive they were still hopeful and was able to achieve a dream they wanted. Which was to become free and tell their stories.
Also, in the image you can see the strength in Sojourner Truth. Enough though she had a cane, she stands up straight and she doesn’t look defeated. She looks well, focused and looks like she’s on a mission. The reason this image was chosen by me is because I wanted to know of another female in this time leading a revolution and creating a path for women.
The second archival object I would like to speak about is about an image that speak volumes. We get to see first-hand how it look for slaves to be handled. The image was worth a thousand words. We can see a trade being initiated. There’s three white men, and four African men. Only one of the African men was a slave. The other African men was the slave traders, while the white men were examining the slave before they purchased him. There was a need to examine the slave because they needed to see the strength of a slave, age and see if he will be valuable to the plantation. Seeing Africans sell to the European slave owners made me think about Oroonoko. The image showed the white appearing to be comfortable. The reason I say that is because the placement of the guns was on the floor, it’s like they confident that nothing would happen to them. Meanwhile there’s a white man sitting down smoking what appears to be a cigar, he looks like he’s the one with money, initiating the trade.
Oroonoko was an African prince that was eventually sold into slavery. “To this captain he sold abundance of his slaves; and for the favour and esteem he had for him, made him many presents, and oblig’d him to stay at court as long as possibly he cou’d. “(178). This quote is ironic to me because Oroonoko indeed was well respected and such a strong man, but he sold slaves for valuables and then he was tricked into his own slavery. He was made a promise that he would be set free, but things didn’t go as planned. Oroonoko even believe his captures.
Once he was tricked into slavery by the ship owner, Oroonoko made a vowel to “ He would engage his honour to behave himself in all friendly order and manner, and obey the command of the captain, as he was lord of the king’s vessel, and general of those men under his command. “(180). Oroonoko tried to create a proposal after being captured, he wanted to state the things he will do so it can possibility lead to his freedom. This led me to imagine how many slaves were tricked into slavery due to Europeans being extra generous, providing more than enough wine and being extra courtly. During these times it was foolish for Africans to trust Europeans because of all the abuse and violent behavior they were put through.
This archival project was enlightening because the databases used, and research guides gave me an outlook on the 18thcentury I didn’t see before. A large array of photos and documents depicted everything I needed to better understand some of the things that was taking place during this time period.
“Sojourner Truth – Identifying Her Family and Owners.” New York Slavery Records Index, nyslavery.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2017/07/04/sojourner-truth-identifying-her_family-and-slave-owners/.
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko. In: Philip Henderson (ed.), Shorter Novels: Seventeenth Century. Dent, Londen 1967,
Wheatley, Phillis. “On Being Brought from Africa to America by…” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45465/on-being-brought-from-africa-to-america.
