Both documents share the topic of slavery, however their depictions are different. One, “The Dysfunctional and the Disappearing: Democracy, Race and Imprisonment” by Joy James, is an analysis of the prison system and how, after the ratification of the 13th Amendment, it served as a continuation of slavery within the US. Considering the demographics within the prison system, James makes the argument that slavery is still prominent and is affecting the same people. The other, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano, is a retelling of the author’s experience during the height of the slave trade. The author describes the horrors faced by people during this time.
James goes into detail on why the prison system is unethical and mirrors slavery. The mention of the demographics that make up most of the inmates in the prison system, highlights this fact. James makes mentions of phenomena such as DWB and the differences in punishment between a person of color and a white person. James also calls out the fact that white women are the main beneficiaries of affirmative action. Throughout history, people who possess whiteness have persisted in maintaining their rule, even when they roll out systems that are intended to help minority groups.
The comparison between Equiano’s life as a slave in Africa compared to Europe provides contrasts. Equiano makes it very clear that his community was not perfect, however when it came to decency, such as treating others with respect and having manners, life in Africa different greatly. On the contrary, life as a slave to Europeans was gruesome, and he mentions the lack of decency from this group of people. This contrast of experiences challenges the European justification for conquest, as Europeans were more savage than the people in Africa, just with better technology.
Both texts provide haunting details of life as a slave, one modern and the other more historical. Equiano sets the stage with his retelling of his life. I was shocked at the conditions people had to endure for the benefit of the white man. We see this continue to the modern day with James’s article. White people just can’t live with the fact that they are equal to other people. They constantly seek ways to maintain their control over those who are not white, and we see this even when countermeasures, such as affirmative action are put into place.
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