ISP post #3

ISP Post #3 Identifying Issues in the Book of Negroes

            The book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill is littered with social issues.  Discrimination, abuse, and slavery are the main problems in this novel.  As I continue to read through into the fourth section it becomes evident that slavery will not end by the conclusion of the Book of Negroes.  Aminata has experienced abuse, discrimination, and slavery since her kidnapping from Bayo. 

            As soon as Aminata was taken from her home she was inhumanely treated. She, and the other prisoners, were stripped of their clothes and shoes, their possessions stolen, and they were beaten if they did not follow instruction (29)(129).  Black people were not treated as people but as property with no societal rights.  Her abuse continued to follow her on to the slave ship as well.  The toubab man who took a liking to Aminata tried to rename her “Mary” and take advantage of her sexually (74). He also treated her like a pet, making her stay in his cabin and help him do chores (75).  White children would never be on a slave ship in the first place, but they surely wouldn’t be treated like animals if they were.  The black passengers were partnered with chains and left to live in their own filth like rodents (66).  Even as a free adult, when Appleby tried to claim her before her trip to Canada, the guards put her in a cell with her legs and wrists shackled like some wild beast that they were in danger of being harmed by (306).  Abuse towards slaves would continue for their entire lives unless they found a way to escape.  With that said, even with their freedom, discrimination towards blacks would see no end. 

White people felt more important than the black population.  It is evident in every aspect of the book.  Certain stores didn’t even let black people enter their business or near their homes.  When the economy fell during the fighting with the British, black people were the first to lose work and starve.  This was seen when Aminata was left under supervision of Lindo’s sister.  Since Aminata was a self-hire, Leah refused to feed her or let her into the house 92170.  Aminata was left to wander the streets in search of food and somewhere to go during the day.  White people did all they could in their power to exclude Aminata and the rest of the Black population from society.

            Slavery is the most evident social issue in The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.  The majority of the plot line is based on Aminata’s life as a slave.  Slavery is wrong and inhumane. People know this now, but during the time period in which this book is set, people believed it was black people’s purpose.  Freedom was stolen from African people and they were treated as objects.  Even free born African-Americans lived in fear of being hunted, sold, and claimed by the slave trade (269).  When black people became slaves they lost all control of their lives.  They were used as butlers and servants, for labor work, and bred to create more slaves.  Aminata had her baby stolen and sold by Appleby with no way of stopping the situation (184).  She didn’t even have control of her baby’s fate.  Their lives were completely controlled by their owner’s desires.  Aminata and her husband Chekura weren’t even able to spend more than a couple nights together because they had different owners.  Even is Aminata would have left Lindo to go live with Chekura, Chekura would have to ask his owner to spend the night with his wife (220).  Slaves were either treated like small children or like animals, that’s what makes slavery such a large issue in this book. 

As the book goes on, Aminata herself seems to be suffering less and less mistreatment from the slave trade, discrimination and abusive white people.  With that said the presence of these issues are still evident and effect many of the major and minor characters.  The impact of her past still haunts Aminata as she continues her journey as well.