Slavery: Was It A Blessing In Disguise?

Centuries ago, from Elmina Castle, Cape Coast, many of our African kinfolk were forced aboard slave-ships. The slave-ships, which were mostly owned and operated by Jewish slave-traders, transported their human cargo to the Americas and elsewhere for financial gain and profit. It’s
reported that more than a hundred and fifty million Africans were shipped out of the Motherland alone. For these once free men and women of African origin, their lives were to be subjected to the cruelty of slavery. Of course, the number of deaths, which occurred during their transatlantic voyage, cannot be discarded. It’s estimated that millions of Africans saw their lives become one with the mighty waters of the ocean. During the horrific passage, those who fell ill to an incurable ailment were immediately hurled off the ship. This action was taken to prevent the other passengers from being contaminated. Mind you, the Jewish slave-traders were most determined to maximize their profit by minimizing any loss. Hence, the many sick who were hurled overboard into the very heart of the ocean.

The number of suicidal deaths were staggeringly high. Many Africans, during the Middle Passage, choose untimely death to a future life in bondage. On arrival, these once free men and women of African descent would be dragged out in their nakedness to be auctioned off. The auctions, which took place on Sunday afternoons after church, attracted bidders with deep pockets. You see, having a slave to own was of a big expense. Anyway, one after the other, these Black men and women would be closely examined for health, and then be priced according to their weights and heights. Normally, during the auction procedure, the Black men would be separated from the Black women. This was done to give the bidders, who were either in need of a female or a male slave, a better view at what they came to bid for. At the close of each auction, the buyers and the sellers would shake their hands contentedly for a business well done.

For these once free Africans now turned into slaves, life in bondage was the closest thing to hell. The rebellious ones amongst them were wiped into submission by their Caucasian slave-masters. They were also forced to denounce their African gods, goddesses, and spiritual consciousness for a dogma called Christianity. They were stripped of their names, identities, languages, and cultural heritage. They were even bred following the dictates of Willie Lynch. The men were robbed of their manhood and rendered defenseless. As a result, some of them saw their spirits crushed. As for the women, the pretty ones were raped on countless occasions by their Christian house lords and masters. Undoubtedly, life in captivity was sorrowful, hopeless, agonizing, and bitter like herb. Daily, under the scorching sun, the slaves worked tirelessly picking cotton with no pay in sight. Indeed, life in bondage was depressing. The slaves managed, however, to transform their sorrow into joyful songs of hope and deliverance.

Today, America and most of the countries, which participated in the transatlantic slave-trade, are rich and prosperous beyond measure. As for the Black people, whose blood, sweat, and tears built these wealthy nations, reparation for slavery is still in waiting. Though, I must admit that in comparison to those Africans, who were left on the African continent, their lives, as former slaves, aren’t all that bad. For instance, whilst most Africans are struggling to make ends meet, those who were taken out of the continent are living a life of luxury. Whilst most Africans are deserting the continent in droves for a better life in Europe, America, and elsewhere, those who were taken out of the continent don’t have to go through all of that. Whilst most Africans on the African continent are subjected to a life of abject poverty, those who were taken out of the continent have access to plenty.

Sometime ago, one of our own Ghanaian sisters said to me that for we Black people, slavery was a blessing in disguise. Back then, I faulted her when she said this to me. I thought that it was the most insensitive thing of her to say. However, many years later, I am forced to admit that what she said, albeit hard to accept, could be true. So, what do y’all say?


Welcome 2 the Dawn!

Source:
The Emperor