Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl- Part 4

I was shocked as I read the last chapters of the book. When learning about slavery, we are normally taught that slaves tried to escape to the north because there was freedom for everyone. When I hear the word "freedom", it makes me think of independence and equality. Events disussed by Linda prove that the northern states were not as perfect as slaves imagined them to be. Linda says, "...every where I found the same manifestations of that cruel prejudice, which so discourages the feelings, and represses the energies of the colored people" (181). It is sad to know that the prejudice and racism were not only directed from whites to black, but from blacks to their own race, as well. It was really sweet how Mr. Bruce allowed Linda to go to England and experience something completely different. When speaking of her trip to England, Linday says, "During all that time, I never saw the slightest symptom of prejudice against color" (190). I wonder why she did not choose to stay in England and have her children sent to her as soon as possible. The book opened my eyes to the reality of slavery. It reminds me of the movie "For Colored Girls". In the movie, they talk about black women still feeling inferior or thinking that they owe the world something. Is it true that the effects of slavery are still influencing black women today?

Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl- Part 3

One thing that that I noticed from reading Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is that slavery was not always about the relationship in between whites and blacks. It also had a lot to do with how blacks, enslaved and freed, were among themselves. Linda is given a rare opportunity to escape, but she decides to let another slave make use of the opportunity. When speaking of the chance to escape, Linda says, “I told him it need not be thrown away; that I had a friend concealed near by, who would be glad enough to take the place that had been provided for me” (155).  It is really reassuring to know that regardless of the inhumane acts surrounding them, most blacks continued to be helpful and protective of one another. Sadly, some of them allowed slavery to influence them in a negative way. Linda says, “Uncle Phillip was sent for, and he agreed with his mother in thinking that Jenny would inform Dr. Flint in less than twenty-four hours” (157). They had to rush Linda out of the area because another slave, who has probably gone through some of the same things as Linda, would expose her secret. If anything, the slaves should be able to trust themselves more than anyone else, but it looks like this was not always the case. I am happy that Linda’s plan is working out the way she wanted it to work out. Although she has to stay in hiding and cannot see her children, they are basically free because Dr. Flint unknowingly sold them to their father. Dr. Flint tells the speculator, “I have been reflecting upon your proposition, and I have concluded to let you have the three negroes if you will say nineteen hundred dollars” (108). Things are leaning in her favor. Hopefully, it will continue like this.