Good Example Of Slave Resistance Essay

Introduction

He was abducted and sold to slavery as a child; he was able to buy his freedom after working hard for three years. This story of one freed slave, however, is far in contrast to that of the majority of slaved who were abducted and sold to white slave owners. Only a few were fortunate to be able to get out of slavery as thousand others were made to suffer slavery and oppression. In the film entitled Sankofa, the story revealed the repulsive accounts of slavery that are often downgraded in most history books. The oppressive acts of many slave owners were more than most of the slaves can bear, and as a result resistance movements were staged to fight the oppressive and degrading system of slavery.

The Practice of Discrimination

They were seized from their free home in Africa, shipped in another country to be sold as slaves. They became the property of another human being, and have to work hard to please their owner. Most of the slaves, despite workings so hard for long hours, were not given proper treatment. In history books, it is often accounted that the slave women bear the most blunt of slavery as they do not only work hard like men, but are subjected to the more humiliating aspect of slavery, that to please the sexual desires of her master, as well as bear children who would later became slave like her. During slavery days, the slaves were also forced to let go of their tradition and embrace Christianity. In the film Sankofa, the conditions of slaves were well depicted as most of the men and women were seen working hard under harsh conditions. The predicament of women slaves were well portrayed as the lead female character (Shola), was whipped, naked, and raped to humiliation. In another scene, a pregnant woman was whipped and hanged resulting to her death. The strong woman, Nunu, was also depicted to have a son from fathered by a white. Her son would then be assigned as an overseer and became torn with the teaching of Christianity and that of his loyalty to his mother and fellow slaves. Most often he has to beat other slaves on the prodding of white overseers. The slaves cannot resist the oppression, as any act of resistance is met with severe punishment and even death.

Form of Resistance

The history of resistance movement against slavery was often associated with names such as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and other popular names of anti-slavery heroes. However, in their own ways the common African slaves worked their way to show resistance to slavery and oppression. Some of the enslaved Africans ran away from their owners, as it was the easiest way to escape slavery. In the Sankofa film, the characters showed many attempts to show resistance. For instance, despite the fierce introduction of Christianity, they are depicted to have stick to their own culture and beliefs. This portrayed strength of character of the Africans that despite them being made captive to the wills of the white man, they have something in them that remain to be free. The women are shown in the film to have a prominent role in the resistance against slavery. For instance, Nunu the mother of a half-slave son was illustrated as one who had killed a rude overseer through her spell. She is an example of one who keeps her tradition through her spiritual beliefs, and because of that she was perceived by the slave community with respect.
Other instances of resistance in the movie, an act commonly tried by many slaves then, was the attempt for escape. In the movie, it was unfortunate that those who were caught were hanged and whipped. One character was a pregnant woman, who died after she was whipped; the sad part was that she was whipped by the son of a fellow slave who was supposed to be an ally. On the other hand, Shola, the female lead character was depicted to have joined a group of rebellious slaves who secretly meet and plan for the freedom of the many plantation slaves. There was an attempt on the part of shola to escape, but she was caught, and whipped to humiliation. Again, the prominence of her role in the movie showed how African women then became the backbone of many resistance movements against slavery.
Near the end of the film, the slaves came armed and ready to stage a rebellion against the oppressive whites. In one scene, they showed how they are one in killing one white man. On the other hand, Shola who was shown in the plantation was approached by a white man. She can immediately sense the evil intent of the man, and she acted fast killing the man with her bolo. Shola was seen here as the pillar of strength and character, as she did not allow herself to further experience degradation. While she was made to suffer in the beginning, she has gathered the strength with the support of other slaves to fight her cause. The other slaves, despite some who are reluctant to fight, decided to proceed with the rebellion.

Conclusion

The Sankofa is an excellent portrayal of the individual and massive suffering of the slaves. It was a depiction of the true occurrence of slavery that was often times underplayed in many history books and films. It has seriously depicted the shocking and oppressive aspect of slavery, all with the horrific scenes where the slaves were raped, whipped and even killed. But while the slaves were treated inhumanely, they gathered their strengths in order to fight slavery and oppression. It was often told that while they were suffered so much in slavery, it was their circumstances that gave them the will to get over their lowly conditions. The slaves’ character evolved from submission into the strong willed group that fought persecution.