The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, Olaudah Equiano (1789)
Equiano’s narrative is unique because he gives readers a glimpse into West African slavery. The story begins with his capture in Africa and slave voyage to the Americas.
Eventually he gains freedom and independence and realizes that slaveholders are not inherently evil, rather the system has made them so.
Equiano is depicted in the film Amazing Grace (2006) and in Grace Unshackled: The Olaudah Equiano Story (2007), an adaptation of his narrative. (Available in print and online.)
Incidents in Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Ann Jacobs (1861)
The narrative is an account of Harriet Ann Jacobs’ struggle to secure freedom for herself and her children. The narrative focuses heavily on the gruesome sexual abuse African-American women faced during slavery.
Portions of the book were published in the New York Tribune, but ended abruptly because the reports of sexual abuse were too shocking for the average reader at the time.
The book was originally published under the pen name Linda Brent, causing critics to question the authenticity of the story. (Available in print, online.)
I couldn't agree more with AtlantaBlackStar about the importance of reading these powerful slave narratives to remind us of the past. To this list, however, I would add these absolutely must read books: Nile Valley Civilizations, edited by Ivan Van Sertima, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy DeGruy, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Locks by Rebecca Skloot. I would also add God's Blood, written by myself. God's Blood is a speculative commentary on racism in American tucked inside a science fiction coming of age story.
Of course we should. Because many in this society pretend like this Afrikan Holocaust NEVER happened…
I'll be checking these out in the librAry