Example of the norton anthology of african american literature literature review

Biographical information

The selected text The Norton Anthology of African American Literature highlights the slave trade of the African population in the United States. In this tale, the author thirstily highlights his experiences in the hands of his owners and his duty as a slave (Henry & MacKay 187). At one point, he slaves were subjected to painful; marking for them, to be identified upon trade top their destined location. According to Henry & MacKay in this times the definition of slavery was still viewed as positive is the society (187). The rich slave owners in America believed they had a right to own slaves. The slaves were subjected to torture and hardships which were meant to utilize the price they were acquired by (Henry & MacKay 187).

General summary

Relationship to today’s society
The modern day slavery is viewed as the way the unfortunate populations are handled in society. The way in which African Americans were handled in the 17th century can be compared to the way in which immigrants and the African American population are handled in major nations across the globe.
It is also a scenario in the modern society that activism is used to stop modern day slavery. This clearly shows there are still slave trade experiences across the globe the difference in this situation is an illegal act. In words by Forsythe there is a significant number of Africans that are traded to Europe and America as slaves and are subjected to hardships and poor working conditions (67). However, the act is now illegal and a person involved in the trade of humans is prosecuted with severe punishment.
Another relation to the modern society is the fact that this social issue has greatly empowered the affected populations in championing for their rights as normal citizens. In an argument by Forsythe the African American population in the United States recognizes the tribulations their ancestors went through and this knowledge gives them the strength to fight for every opportunity to enhance their lives (112).

Personal evaluation

My personal evaluation of slavery as a social issue is based on the fact that every human life should be appreciated and handled with utmost respect. Every individual in the society should be part of the antislavery movement that will help people understand the importance and respect human life.

Terminology

Abolish (verb) – this refers to the efforts to put an end to a practice
Act (verb) this refers to the taking up an action for a particular purpose
Activism (noun) this is the process of campaigning in public to bring to a stop or bring social change regarding an issue

African American- (adjective) this refers to the lack people living in the United States who descend from Africans

Cargo (noun) – goods and products transported in long distances most in planes and ships.
Championing (verb) -this is an act that aims at changing a social issue by force
Immigrants (noun) – the terminology used to describe native populations in other countries
Movement (noun) this refers to an organized grouping with a specific intention of changing a social perception of an issue
Slave trade (noun) – this is the buying of slaves especially the Africans in the 16 to the 19th century.
Slaves (noun) – a purchased person who acts as subject to the person who bought them

Works cited

Forsythe, David. ” Encyclopedia of Human Rights, Volume 1″. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2009. Print
Gates, Henry & MacKay, Nellie. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. New York: W W Norton & Company Incorporated, 1997. Print.