Philosophy 11

“Surely this traffic cannot be good, […] which violates that first natural right of man-kind, equality and independency, and gives one man a dominion over his fellows which God could never intend!”

Quote: Orig.: The interesting Narrative of the Life of Oulaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the Africa, written by himself (1789). Picture: Unknown author - Project Gutenberg eText 15399. Wikimedia. Creative Commons.

Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797) was a Nigerian-born author of the African diaspora who was enslaved as a child. Due to his education, he was later allowed to trade. He was able to buy his freedom in 1766 and campaigned for the abolition of slavery in England from 1777.

The quote comes from Equiano's memories of warlike conflicts that took place in his childhood between neighboring states in order to capture booty and prisoners to sell to European slave traders. In the case described, the attackers were defeated and killed or enslaved. In his description Equiano emphasizes the contrast to the inhumanity of European slavery. In his autobiography, Equiano does not initially oppose all forms of slavery. He obtained the means to buy his freedom by participating in human trafficking. His initially ambivalent attitude towards slavery changed over the course of his life and ultimately led to a decisive stance against slavery.

*Olaudah Equiano (2021): The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Hoboken New Jersey. *Resources on Equiano.

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