What was it that made Solomon Northrup's memoir so compelling in "Twelve years a Slave"? It wasn't that it had been the most graphic or detailed narrative of bondage ever heard. For there are so many to glean from. What I think was heart wrenching, was that he was born free, and then manipulatively tricked and forced into slavery. Therein lay the gripping power of that haunting tale. He was living a productively happy and successful life and boom! atrocity paid him a visit.
This unexpected and unfair turn of events, would also fuel his passion to recover and restore what was left of his true self. Every day at that plantation reminded him of his birthright and the life he had built with talent, hard work and integrity. I can relate.
I wonder if while he finally regained his freedom and packed his three tattered garments to evacuate the false confines of bondage, if there were some listless slaves that ranted nonsensical and idiotic phrases to deter his long walk to freedom and fortitude. I relate also.
Here is why the fools would rage and camouflage their idiocy as wisdom or maybe sanctimonious admonition. They were not born free, they had never been free and would not even know what to do with freedom if it were handed to them in a plastic bucket. So the masters offer of a few pennies and maybe promotion to working in the house as opposing to the fields was as good as it gets for them.
Recently word got to me (as it always does), that my 'vocational walk' was considered should I say high-minded. I really am untouched and unmoved by challenged, limited and lay-mentality. But for the sake of the chronically clueless, naive and deceived, I will say this; Emancipation took place a minute ago. Go for it and leave the raging fools to protect a crumbling, power-crazed, role-confused cultist empire. Meanwhile I shall continue about my assignment.
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