Reading Report Form
M. Robinson, CSUSB
Spring 2021
Name: Gorgonio Saucedo
Class: HIST 3400 Af-Am History, 1619-1865
Date: February 7, 2020
Reading 1 (author, title, pages):
Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Ch. 1 and 2, (pg. 31-61)
# Each quote and citation below
1 “Some of these slaves have even slaves under
them, as their own property, and for their own
use” (Equiano 1794, 40).
2 “Their money consisted of little white shells, the
size of finger nails: they are know in the country by
the name of core.” (Equiano 1794, 52).
3 “Indeed everything here, and all their treatment of
me , made me forget that I was a slave” (Equiano
1794, 53).
4 “Hourly whipped for not eating” ” (Equiano 1794,
56).
5 One day they had taken a number of fishes; and
when they have killed and satisfied them selves
with as many as they saw fit, to our astonishment
who were on the deck, rather than give any of
them to us to eat, as we expected, they tossed the
remaining fish into the sea” (Equiano 1794, 58-59).
Optional: Question, Thought, Comment
One question I had was why did they sell slaves for core and not gold?
1
1-2 sentences on why quote stood out to you
This stood out to me because I never new free
men could own slaves. It makes me wonder why
free slaves never bought family back and set
them free?
This struck me because I could not believe
slaves were sold with shells. I thought they were
trades for ad least gold or diamonds I didn’t
expect them to be sold for something so
worthless as shells.
Reading this quote and the position that he was
in making a connection with his slave owner
comparing himself to his master he realized
they weren’t so different that they had the
same customs and language and understood
one another. Yet, he stood at the table a slave
and his master free.
It just amazes me the great lengths that slaves
did to commit suicide to avoid slavery. It’s so
sad and gut retching.
This stood out to me because it’s just horrible.
The men on the boat had no humanity no
morals not even to give food to another human
being when you have plenty of food for your
self and crew.
Reading 2, if needed (author, title, pages):
 Painter, Creating Black Americans, Ch. 2 Captives Transported, 1619-1850 (23-45)
# Each quote and citation below
1 “ The imbangala terrorized local people, who
thought they were witches”( Painter 2006,23).
2 “Mortality rates during the Middle Passage were
routinely 15-20 percent” ”( Painter 2006,33).
3 “Even as Christianity disappeared as a requirement
for Freedom, many Africans and African Americans
converted to Christianity” ”( Painter 2006,34).
4 “But nonblack tended to shut off discussion of the
evils of the Atlantic Slave trade by pointing out the
original kidnappers and sellers were themselves
African-in effect, Blaming the victims”( Painter
2006,36).
5 “A staggering number of Africans ten million and
more were uprooted from their homes and forcibly
transported to the new world”( Painter 2006,41).
Optional: Question, Thought, Comment
2
1-2 sentences on why quote stood out to you
This stood out to me because I feel that they
used this as an excuse to terrorizes the locals.
To basically give them a reason, because what
would classify the imbangala as witches.
15 to 20 percent mortality rate is a big number
if you think about it. For instance, 10 million
people which is the total number of slaves
transported 20% of 10 million means 2 million
slave would never have made it to the new
world. This makes me wonder how many of
those slaves died from suicide or neglect from
the crew.
This stood out because even though it wasn’t
required for slaves to become Christian to be
free they still did it anyway. I feel they
continued this because it gave slaves hope that
if they believe in god they’ll get the same rights
or become free. I feel that they knew religion
gave them strength to live on to the next day
and so on.
This stood out to me because this is a problem
its not right that people are actually blaming
Africans for slavery by saying this. It is
absolutely ridiculous to say.
This stood out because I never knew just how
many Africans were taken and transported.
Then on top of that ten million how many
actually made it to the new world and how
many died.
Reading 3, if needed (author, title, pages):

# Each quote and citation below 1-2 sentences on why quote stood out to you
1

Optional: Question, Thought, Comment

Reading 4, if needed (author, title, pages):

# Each quote and citation below 1-2 sentences on why quote stood out to you
1

Optional: Question, Thought, Comment

3
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