The Middle Passage
The Middle Passage was the journey of millions of Africans that were forced to leave their homeland and travel across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. The journey, which began in Africa and ended in the Americas, was one of the most horrific events in human history.
For centuries, African slaves were captured and transported across the Atlantic Ocean in abhorrent conditions. They were packed into tight, airless confines of slave ships, and left to suffer in the deadly heat and terrible stench of human waste and death. The journey was known as the Middle Passage and it is estimated that between 9 and 10 million Africans made the journey.
The Middle Passage was a devastating experience for these African captives, as many of them died from disease, dehydration, and exhaustion. Those who survived suffered from depression, malnutrition, and trauma. Most of the African slaves were torn from their homes in West Africa and taken to the Caribbean or American colonies where they were forced to work under harsh conditions in the name of profit.
The Middle Passage has been often compared to a modern-day death march, where thousands of African captives were buried in the sea as a result of conditions on the slave ships. Estimates suggest that around 2 million of those taken on the Middle Passage died at some point in the voyage.
The Voyage Across the Mississippi River
The voyage across the Mississippi River was a similar event in terms of the human suffering and death involved, however, the scale of this voyage was quite different from the Middle Passage. This voyage was primarily controlled by the French and Spanish, who transported African slaves from their colonies in the Caribbean and Central America to their territories in the Louisiana Territory.
It is estimated that between 5 and 10 thousand African slaves, who had been purchased from the Caribbean, were transported across the Mississippi River from late 1720, having been brought down from Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, to ports in Louisiana and plantations further upriver.
Contrary to the Middle Passage, this voyage was more humane as the slave ships were both slower and larger than ships used in the Atlantic slave trade. This meant that the slaves were transported in more comfortable conditions and could receive better care and feed provisions during the voyage.
In the 1790s, French authorities began to limit the passage of African slaves across the Mississippi River, as part of their general efforts to suppress the slave trade. In 1807, the transatlantic slave trade was abolished in the United States and in France, thus, completely shutting down both the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River.
Compared to the Middle Passage
When comparing the two voyages, it is clear that the Middle Passage was much more brutal, both in terms of the conditions of the ships and the horrific deaths that occurred during the journey. Many of the African captives who embarked on the Middle Passage died from disease, starvation and dehydration, as the ships were overcrowded and the food provisions were scarce.
In contrast, the voyage across the Mississippi River was more humane, with the slaves being transported in larger ships with better provisions and access to medical care. Estimates suggest that the mortality rate of this voyage was much lower than that of the Middle Passage.
Aftermath
The Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River have had a lasting impact on the African Diaspora in the United States and the Caribbean. Despite the gradual elimination of the slave trade in the early 19th century, the horrific experiences of enslaved Africans have continued to haunt the African community and its descendants.
It is estimated that around 1.2 million people of African descent are currently living in the United States and its territories, a result of the millions of Africans who suffered during this time. The harsh conditions endured by those forced to make these trans-Atlantic and Mississippi River voyages still have a profound impact today, contributing to the disparities between black and white Americans in areas such as health, education, and wealth.
Legislation
In recent years, many states and countries have passed legislation to recognize the experiences of the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River. In 2014, the United States Senate passed Resolution 614, acknowledging the history of slavery and the effects of the Atlantic slave trade.
In addition, several countries, including the United States, France, and Germany, have acknowledged their involvement in the slave trade, apologizing for the atrocities and condemning future generations from practicing and profiting from slavery.
Conclusion
The Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River were two of the most brutal experiences in the history of human rights. Millions of African captives were subjected to unimaginable suffering and thousands of them died in the name of profit.
The legacy of these voyages is still felt in the African Diaspora, as the survivors and descendants of those who bore the weight of slavery continue to suffer from the disparities in health, education, and wealth. Despite the damage caused, many countries are seeking to recognize and acknowledge their part in the history of slavery.
Commemoration
Today, there are a number of ways to commemorate the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River. Numerous memorials, such as Elmina Castle in Ghana and the Slave Ship Monument in Jamaica, have been erected to recognize the millions of Africans who suffered during these voyages.
Additionally, there are a number of events, such as the Kunta Kinteh Island Reunion in Gambia and Senegambia, which celebrate the resilience of those who made the Middle Passage. These events are designed to bring the African diaspora together and to provide a platform to remember and honor the experiences of those who lived through the slave trade.
Impact on Society
The impact of the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River can also be seen in how society perceives and treats African-Americans and those of African descent. Racial disparities continue to exist in many areas, including education, health care, employment and criminal justice, and the legacy of the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River is often cited as the driving force behind such disparities.
The horrific experiences of the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of slavery, and the importance of continued efforts to eradicate racism and inequality in our society.
Cultural Representation
The Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River have also been documented in popular culture, from literature and film to music and art. Authors such as Harriet Jacobs and Alex Haley have written about the experiences of African captives, while movies such as 12 Years a Slave and The Birth of a Nation have highlighted the realities of slavery.
In recent years, rap artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Kanye West have used their music to explore the effects of slavery on the African-American community. Similarly, visual artists such as Kehinde Wiley and Kerry James Marshall have used their artwork to explore the legacy of the Middle Passage.
Public Education
It is clear that the Middle Passage and the voyage across the Mississippi River are topics that must be discussed in public education. Schools should be teaching students about the horrors of the slave trade, as well as the systemic racism that continues to exist in our society today.
By teaching young people about the effects of slavery, we can ensure that the experiences of African captives are not forgotten and that future generations can work towards a world without racism and inequality.
