So apparently there is some controversy surrounding the fact that one's state of existence is, generally speaking, dependent upon the choices one makes. This apparently has come to a shock to people who also collectively spent millions on a movie called The Matrix, particularly The Matrix Reloaded, which explained this concept in great detail. Yet here we are in 2018 and various talking heads are lambasting Kanye West (who has his issues) on his factual statement that being a slave is a choice.
The historical truth of this statement can be seen in the Republic of Haiti. For all it's poverty, that nation was created in the wake of a massive uprising of African slaves. They chose to be free rather than to be slaves. They risked life and limb to do it. Slavery was a choice. They chose not to have it.
In Brazil we have the example of Zumbi de Palmares. These Africans set up their own communities in the mountains of Brazil instead of being slaves.
In Jamaica we have the
Maroons. Who escaped slavery and set up their own communities. As a matter of fact, the living descendants of these Maroons still
speak a language closely related to their origins. And by the way, these Maroons were once lead by a woman who is referred to as "
Granny or Nanny, depending on who you speak with"
I offer these examples of large scale decisions by communities of Africans to NOT BE SLAVES. Which stands in direct contradiction to the talking heads trying to discredit Kanye. And in this I include those who have tried to defend Kanye by saying he wasn't referring to "actual" slavery. When I did a documentary on Denmark Vesey, another Black man who refused to be a slave and laid down his life to free many Africans in South Carolina, I found many records of individual men and women who
decided that they were NOT GOING TO BE SLAVES. These bold men and woman took their lives into their own hands and braved the swamps to get free. I've visited those swamps and I can tell you from personal experience that most of these know it all negroes wouldn't have the fortitude to spend one night in one of those swamps, much less navigate them while having slave catchers on their tails and rewards on their heads.
This brings us to why so many Africans did
not try to escape slavery: Fear. I don't say this to denigrate the memory of those who were enslaved. Fear is a great motivator. We humans are hard wired for self-preservation. And for many the very real and high probability of death vs. staying put made for an "easy" decision. This brings to mind a skit by Eddie Murphy (I could be wrong_ that is on a mix I have:
I ain't no mutha fuckin' slave.
Ain't like those mutha fuckas wanted to do that shit.
I'm quite sure the first dude that got off the boat said "suck my dick".
Then like 10 motha fuckas with whips said
Whoppishhh!
The one behind him said
We'll bail the shit, just keep the fuck back with the whips.
Modern day soul brothers we act like we coulda never been slaves and shit.
I be hearing brothers say
Shit man if I was a motha fuckin slave
This routine encapsulates why so many stayed on plantations and whatnot. The most rebellious were executed in front of the rest as an example of what happens to "trouble". Most people fall in line when this happens. There's no shame in that. I think a lot of the anger at Kanye is because there is a lot of shame in the African-American community as it regards slavery. And therefore if anyone says anything that calls into question the motives of those who did not rebel it is taken as a personal affront.
The fact is that other than when you're born and when you die, there are no situations in your life that are not a product of some decision. Sure we can say that the African that was caught up by the slave raiders and sold off to the Europeans and shipped overseas didn't have a choice in that situation. Indeed. However nothing stopped that person from leaving or die trying than his own fear of the
consequences of getting caught.
This fear is the same fear that has people staying in abusive relationships. Keeps them in gangs. Keeps them in jobs that are going nowhere. It's the same fear. On a different level to be sure, but it is the same fear: It might not work out.
So it is clear that being enslaved is a choice. Not the easiest choice but a choice none the less. There is a reason for the phrase "Freedom or Death". If those aren't the bottom line considerations, then one may well find oneself a slave. Kanye is right. The know nothing naysayers are wrong. History shows that. End of argument.
[edit: 5-3- 1PM]
There is also the issue of those persons who were comfortable being slaves. To the professionally offended this concept is hard to swallow but there were a good number of Africans who were OK with their status. This was particularly the case where the owner was not "cruel" (I put that in quotes to separate that out from the inherently cruel state that is person ownership). Since a slave, like any other piece of livestock, requires shelter and food. If an owner was particularly "kind" in his providing for the material needs of his property, then, just as we see in Stockholm syndrome, a person can identify with or see himself as a part of the family of their owner. In such cases the fact that the owner has title on them is but a minor issue.
Again I'll point to research I did during my documentary of Denmark Vesey. There were many persons who were quite satisfied with their station in life. Indeed it was one of those persons who sold out Vesey (do not even THINK that it is only the so called "house negroes" who would rat out a rebellion. Some rebellions were
lead and organized by "house negroes".
