Essay on Olaudah Equiano

Submitted By CrystalRivera
Words: 351
Pages: 2

Crystal Rivera
September 25, 2014
History 1301
Prof. Von Dohlen

Olaudah Equiano, “The Horrors of a Slave Ships”

July 10, 1766, Equiano saved enough money to buy himself liberty. Before that date Equiano suffered and almost dies of starvation being a slave. He was one of many slaves whom began writing his journey as an autobiography and reveals the horror of the slave ship. Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa was born in 1745 in Benin, West Africa. When he was 10 years old, him and his sister were playing outside suddenly he was kidnapped by Africans known as Aros and sold in slavery. He was sold multiple times until he was purchased by Europeans who shipped him to Barbados and then to Virginia. It was so terrible on the ship, it was so bad they suffocated if they soon did not get fresh air. It was so crowded and full of slaves, they could not move or turn around to get comfortable. The slaves suffered of starvation- the English men had plenty of food including lots of fish to eat. They would satisfy themselves and whatever was left over then would throw at the starving slaves. They were chained together like animals and not treated like humans. They believe they were a different kind of species because of their skin color. Olaudah Equiano states. “One day, when we had a smooth sea and moderate winds, two of my wearied countrymen who were chained together preferred death to such a life of misery, somehow made though the netting and jumped inss was