Skip to main content

Iron Egress: Beyond the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

 

Photo by I.am_nah on Unsplash


March 29th, 2022

Afro-Latina; in this dream, I only remember that I had been discussing this kind of ethnic heritage with someone, but I’m not sure of the context. During the conversation, I even remember seeing the visage of an Afro-Latina woman with honey-colored skin and a big curly afro. The dream changed tones quite dramatically from here when a disembodied voice said, “research the white slaves of Egypt, Asia, and other countries.” In the waking world, I decided to research the white slave trade in Egypt and found it fascinating indeed.  The articles I've read speak of the Circassian slaves of Egypt from Georgia and the Barbary slave trade that involved peoples from Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Iceland, Southwest Britain, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Both of these were said by some to have lasted hundreds of years. As I continued my search, I only found more information on human trafficking that I didn't know I didn't know. Among these articles was a document that spoke of the slave trade of Africans throughout Asia, something I had heard in passing but never bothered researching for myself.

For me, as an African American, the legacy of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade feels inescapable. It feels as though I'm cyclically reminded of my genealogical descent from defeat and oppression. Though my ancestors were strong enough to endure, they were broken and abused for having physical traits that I possess. Sometimes reading old articles from those times feels the same as reading something printed yesterday because words are timeless; they don't change. The voices of the past speak to me as if the writers themself are still alive and directing at me the fullness of their bigotry. Despite how ridiculous that might sound, It still feels that way. Ghosts are very real; they speak to us from beyond the grave through words in the pages of a book. I believe that this is called a "residual haunting."

As our wider society continues to talk about the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and its impact, we should remember to talk about it in its entirety. I wish we include things like the Trans-Saharan slave trade, the Indian Ocean slave trade (also known as the East African slave trade), the Coolie slave trade, the Barbary slave trade, and many more; however, when talking about these things we should never start with slavery itself. Slavery is not the beginning of a people's history; it is more akin to an involuntary exodus that many people groups have experienced over the millennia. I digress; I don't know why I dreamed this, but I'm glad I did. As twisted as this might sound, there is a comfort in knowing that the experience of slavery was, and is, shared across ethnic groups, and it wasn't just an Afro-American experience. It is a big part of the story of humanity.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Preferred Prey

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash December 4, 2020 In this dream, I was watching a tv show. A were-cat (not to be confused with a werewolf) was living on his own in a post-apocalyptic world. I shall call him "Prey." As he walked, he found himself upon an elevated plain where another were-cat appeared that I shall call "Hunter."  Hunter saw Prey, and both men responded to each other by shifting from human form into a semi-human form with long tails and spotted fur, like cheetahs or jaguars. A 70mph chase ensued across the plateau with Hunter in hot pursuit. Because both were running at the same speed, this was not a chase that would end quickly.  Both men had limited stamina, just like actual big cats. Eventually, the chase came to an end when their energy ran out. Hunter proposed a truce because they found themselves surrounded by trees (bear territory) and it would be safer if they stuck together. Both agreed to this plan, and they began journeying out of the fores...
1 comment
Read more

Does Knowledge Puffeth Up?

Biblical Hermeneutics Why one might ask, is hermeneutics important? Have you ever heard the saying that knowledge puffeth up? It comes from 1 Corinthians 8:1 wherein which I have often heard it said to me as a form of discouragement due to my love of research and knowledge. The reason proposed is that knowledge makes you prideful; thus, knowledge is a dangerous pursuit for those not pastors. This idea is not only far from what Paul was trying to say, but it also contradicts statements like what is written in Hebrews 5:11-14. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 "Knowledge puffs up, and love edifies" is best understood when read in its entirety and in comparison with "Acts 15:20; "Abstain from things contaminated by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood" which was written to Gentile believers and is the 4 rules that they had been given instead of being given the law as Jewish believers had insisted at the time. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ad Nauseam

  Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash July 17, dream In this dream, I had seen a pyramid that was said to be asleep. However, its slumber was disturbed due to the presence of a young man. "When you're awake, this place feels more sadistic." A soldier spoke these words to the young man, which were true. The trees would move within the space of the pyramid that stood within an immense pyramid. In this place, the military was present and looking for Hypnogogic runes. These spells granted one the power of Unas, the God eater. For the one who found them, he would devour all the gods. There was a room I found myself in; runes were etched into the wall of a secret room. Each one was surrounded by blue lightning and set on a nearby wall. The pyramid had made its choice, and its power would be mine. Simultaneously, two friends of mine were getting married in this same pyramid. I was in attendance at both weddings and was wanting to congratulate my friends, but I was torn. My lust ...
Post a Comment
Read more