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 persons 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 the 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 a wild animal (306). Abuse
towards slaves would continue for their entire lives unless they found a way to
escape. With that said, even with freedom discrimination towards blacks continued.
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 the supervision of Lindo’s
sister. Since Aminata was a self-hire, Leah refused to feed her or let her into
the house (217). Aminata was left to wander the streets for food and for
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 which the book is set in, 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 labour 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 if Aminata would have left Lindo to go 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 in
the text and effect many of the major and minor characters. The impact of her
past still haunts Aminata as she continues her journey as well.
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