Equiano

Equiano truly lived a life that most slaves would have greatly volunteered for. His many travels to different parts of the world are a testament to how great of a life he lived for a slave. At this time period it was unheard of that slaves be considered world travelers at least most of them who did move from country to country never made it out alive after most of the grueling work they were put through. In my opinion Equiano was born in Africa. His descriptions were so detailed about him being kidnapped and sold on the slave trade that only a person with that kind of personal experience could relate the details Equiano detailed in his autobiography. Also his stories about how he remembers the times with his mom and when he was a young boy also lead into the notion that he was truly born in Africa and not on a naval ship or slave trade ship. I do believe from his extensive interpretations that he was from Africa.

It’s stated that Equiano considered himself an honest man and that he lived life a little bit different than the normal slave. “I always remember the old adage: and I trust it has been my ever ruling principle, that honesty is the best policy.”[1] With this from the text it’s hard to believe a man with this much integrity and honesty would lie about his birth or the fact that he did the things he was accounted for in his autobiography. I do believe what he says, unless he was just trying to get his name out there and his autobiography sold. That is something that sometimes must be taken into account. At this time period slaves weren’t really considered much of anything but property and this autobiography would raise Equiano’s status as a person. However I do believe what he has stated in the text to be truthful and himself an honest man.

Carey’s argument that has Equiano born In South Carolina is an understandable and noteworthy argument. However in my opinion I think that most of the information was used for safety and common sense. Stating that his baptism yes might have been in South Carolina however I believe that’s all it was. He came from Africa and was baptized in South Carolina by his owner out of respect and safety. Also not that many people were baptized and born on the same day, especially slaves that were even baptized. I think it’s fully understandable that he wasn’t able to be baptized in Africa and was given the chance in South Carolina. Carey’s table also states that Equiano or “Gustavus” had gotten specific dates wrong when he was being transported from America to England. However due to the time period and the situation that he found himself in all the time running from being hunted or killed; I think its fully understandable to get dates wrong when your mind was worrying about five hundred other things. As stated in the argument for Africa Equiano might have been too afraid as a boy to tell them where he was really born at his baptism. In the end I think Equiano was too honest lie about his birthplace and I think Africa was where he was truly born.

[1]   Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa. The African. Kindle Edition. 2128