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NEWS TODAY WHO WAS OLAUDAH EQUIANO? HISTORY 1301.261 NEW Olaudah Equiano was a former slave from Nigeria who became an outspoken opponent of slavery and an advocate of abolition. He was taken as a slave at age 11 and given the name Gustavus Vasa, which he disliked. He eventually bought his freedom and traveled widely in the Americas, Europe and Turkey. His experiences and observations of slavery led him to write an autobiography, which was the first slave narrative and a valuable document on slavery. In it, he argued against the immorality and economic backwardness of slavery. He also became active in the repatriation movement and lectured throughout Britain on slavery and related topics. WEDNESDAY 1 MARCH, 2022 WHAT WAS OLAUDAH EQUIANO'S LIFE LIKE IN ENGLAND? Equiano achieved a level of wealth and social status in England that was unparalleled by other Afro- Britons. He worked as a barber and musician and received some education. He was also an active participant in the abolitionist movement and lectured widely on the evils of the slave trade. He even married an Englishwoman from Ely, Susan (or Susanne) Cullen in 1792. WHAT WAS THE MIDDLE PASSAGE ? The Middle Passage was a harrowing journey that enslaved Africans were forced to endure in order to be transported to the Americas. It involved being packed onto ships in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and enduring long, arduous sea voyages. It was a journey of terror, filled with physical and psychological abuse, and many Africans did not survive the journey. The Middle Passage was a traumatic experience that has left a deep scar on the African diaspora, and its legacy continues to be felt today.

NEWS TODAY HOW DID EQUIANO HELP ABOLISH SLAVERY? Equiano was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and used his own experiences to argue against its immorality and economic backwardness. He was involved in the public outcry over the 1783 Zong atrocity, and became active in the repatriation movement that established Freetown in Sierra Leone as a haven for freed slaves. He also wrote his autobiography, which was the first slave narrative and was a valuable document on slavery. Through his writing and speaking engagements, he helped to provide the basis for the views of later abolitionists. WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT? We should care about this document because it is a powerful testament to the human capacity for perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. Equiano's narrative is a reminder of the tragic yet dynamic encounter of black and white in the late 18th century, and of the racism and oppression faced by African Americans during this period. The themes and conventions of the slave-narrative genre established by Equiano remain relevant today, as we continue to grapple with issues of racial injustice and discrimination. This is illustrated by the ongoing situation of the Palestinian people, who have been subject to systematic displacement and oppression since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1922. The Interesting Narrative invites us to consider the legacy of the past, and serves to remind us of the need to address the continued prevalence of racism and inequality in the present.