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Image relaying the gruesomeness of the Atlantic Slave Trade (London Art Week)     London Art Week. londonartweek.co.uk/
     artagainstslaverythecapturedrunawaybywilliamgale/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

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European traders were able to systematically enslave millions of Africans because of gruesome policies and habits that the Europeans enacted. Moreover, their most effective “tool” was one that enabled them to look down on their fellow humans who resided in Africa. The Atlantic slave trade saw a rise in this behavior which was harnessed to systematically dehumanize Africans in a race-based manner. Across western sub- Saharan Africa, white Europeans would buy black Africans to ship and sell them to buyers in western American colonies. On and after the journey across the “middle passage”, Europeans would dehumanize enslaved peoples by categorizing, branding, and torturing them. It is important to tell the story of how these acts affected millions and how they were widely practiced.  These horrific acts were wrongly justified by Europeans as they believed that people of color were less capable than those with pale skin. Eventually, after several centuries of the Atlantic slave trade, policies regarding the mistreatment of people of color were gradually implemented. These include the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1875. Almost 150 years later, in 2008, Barack Obama was elected president, the first man of color ever to hold that title, showing that the world is coming out of a period of race-based, systematic dehumanization.

Works Cited

The Abolition of the Slave Trade. Encyclopedia Virginia, encyclopediavirginia.org/4365hpr-d16ce63f52d7c41/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

Atkinson Center. www.atkinsoncenter.org/historical_library/american-slave-branding-iron-georgia-plantation/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

Barack Obama. National Portrait Gallery, npg.si.edu/learn/classroom-resource/barack-obama.

"Barack Obama elected as America's first Black president." History, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/barack-obama-elected-as-americas-first-black-president. Accessed 15 May 2024.

Bentley, Jerry H., et al. Traditions & Encounters : a Global Perspective on the past. 6th ed., New York City, McGraw-Hill Education, 2016.

Face to Face Africa. 15 July 2018, face2faceafrica.com/article/read-the-damning-letter-written-by-the-king-of-kongo-to-the-king-of-portugal-over-slavery-in-1526. Accessed 12 May 2024.

Hochschild, Adam. King Leopold's Ghost a Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa Adam Hochschild [aut]. Boston, Mariner Books, 2020.

London Art Week. londonartweek.co.uk/artagainstslaverythecapturedrunawaybywilliamgale/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

Museum of Fine Arts Boston. collections.mfa.org/download/31102;jsessionid=337113B4133A96B79B65D28949C6E816. Accessed 15 May 2024.

Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.25385/?sp=24&st=text. Accessed 14 May 2024.

National Constitution Center. National Constitution Service, constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/civil-rights-act-of-1875-march-1-1875-an-act-to-protect-all-citizens-in-their-civil-and-legal-rights. Accessed 12 May 2024.

Obama, Barack. Speech. The American Presedency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-jacksonville-florida-1.

The Passage of the Civil Rights Bill. New York Public Library, nypl.getarchive.net/media/the-passage-of-the-civil-rights-bill-e9c3a2.

Unlisted. 1400's. A mid-15th century Florentine map of the world based on Jacobus Angelus's 1406 Latin translation of Maximus Planudes's late-13th century rediscovered Greek manuscripts of Ptolemy's 2nd-century Geography. Ptolemy's 1st (modified conic) projection.

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District 1, Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

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A mid-15th century Florentine map of the world based on Jacobus Angelus's 1406 Latin translation of Maximus Planudes's late-13th century rediscovered Greek manuscripts of Ptolemy's 2nd-century Geography. Ptolemy's 1st (modified conic) projection.

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Pre-contact Conceptions, World map, Florence Italy

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Pre-contact Conceptions, World map, Florence Italy

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Before the Renaissance in the age of exploration in the 15th century, there was little interest in exploring or engaging with sub-Saharan African peoples. This 15th-century map from Florence illustrates the limited knowledge Europeans had of Africa as the area that would be African is depicted as mostly blank. This lack of understanding and awareness contributed to a conceptual disparity between the two continents with minimal contact between Europeans and Africans distinct cultural differences emerged further perpetuating misconceptions and stereotypes. (Hochschild 6). For example, “a Benedictine monk who mapped the world about 1350, claimed that Africa contained one-eyed people who used their feet to cover their heads, [Additionally, a] geographer in the next century announced that the continent held people with one leg, three faces, and the heads of lions.” (Hochschild 6). Eventually, Europeans began to perceive Africans as inferior, both intellectually and physically leading to discrimination. As European colonies and interests were established across the continent of Africa to both trade and extract natural resources, opportunities to buy and sell native peoples for profit were recognized and taken advantage of which ultimately led to the mass systematic enslavement of African people by European traders. (Hochschild 6). This historical context highlights the roots of systemic discrimination and serves as a crucial backdrop for understanding the transatlantic slave trade.

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Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Slave Ship (Museum of Fine arts Boston)     Museum of Fine Arts Boston. collections.mfa.org/download/
     31102;jsessionid=337113B4133A96B79B65D28949C6E816. Accessed 15 May 2024.

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Ship Inventory Listing People Onboard, Congo Region 1530's

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Ship Inventory Listing People Onboard, Congo Region 1530's

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From the capture of Africans by European traders to their eventual fate, individuals were subjected to categorization by traders and masters alike. This categorization process was not merely administrative but served as a tool for masters to assert their perceived superiority over enslaved peoples. Such a surviving inventory from the Congo area in the 1530s illustrates this dehumanizing practice, vividly listing enslaved peoples by first name along with their physical defects and perceived cash value. The inventory begins with those deemed most valuable and ends with a chilling entry “child, name unknown as she is dying and cannot speak, male without value”. (Hochschild 6) Such categorization reduced human beings to commodities, reinforcing the belief that Africans were inferior and expendable when compared to Europeans. This systematic dehumanization where tens of thousands of masters categorized millions of enslaved individuals, exemplified the race-based discrimination and dehumanization inherent in the transatlantic slave trade. It perpetuated the notion that people of African descent were inherently lesser, contributing to the widespread acceptance of slavery as a morally justifiable system.

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Branding iron used in the Atlantic Slave (Atkinson Center)     Atkinson Center. www.atkinsoncenter.org/historical_library/
     american-slave-branding-iron-georgia-plantation/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

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Branding, São Salvador, Angola-King Alfonso I Early 1500's 

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Branding, São Salvador, Angola-King Alfonso I Early 1500's 

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The practice of branding enslaved individuals with irons served as a brutal mechanism of punishment and dehumanization during the transatlantic slave trade. As noted in the letter from King Alfonso I, “As soon as they are taken by the white men they are immediately ironed and branded with fire. Then they are carried to be embarked” (Alfonso I, Face to Face 1). Branding was not only physical torture but also a symbolic act of asserting dominance and control over the enslaved population. By marking their bodies with hot irons, European traders and masters sought to reinforce the belief in the inherent inferiority of Africans. This act of branding dehumanized individuals, reducing them to mere property that was bought, sold, and traded at will. Moreover, it served to justify further mistreatment and exploitation, as it visually marked enslaved peoples as subjugated and inferior. (Alfonso I, Face to Face 1). The connection to the previous event of categorizing is evident as both practices were practices of human documentation and hence were integral components of the systematic dehumanization of Africans. Through branding and categorization, European traitors and masters perpetuated the narrative of racial superiority legitimizing the institution of slavery and perpetuating centuries of exploitation and suffering. These practices highlight the deeply ingrained racism and dehumanization that defined the transatlantic slave.

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"The abolition of Slavery" (Virginia Encyclopedia     The Abolition of the Slave Trade. Encyclopedia Virginia,
     encyclopediavirginia.org/4365hpr-d16ce63f52d7c41/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

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Torture, Fredrick Douglass Account of Whipping, 1849, Baltimore, MD

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Torture, Fredrick Douglass Account of Whipping, 1849, Baltimore, MD

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Whippings, floggings, and other forms of torture were common methods used by slave masters to instill fear and maintain control over enslaved populations during the transatlantic slave trade. Fredrick Douglas, one of the most key 19th-century abolitionists, vividly described the horrors inflicted upon him and his fellow enslaved peoples in later accounts. One account recalls such torture when it speaks about him witnessing his aunt whipping “I have often been awakened at the dawn of day by the most heart-rending shrieks of an own aunt of mine, whom he used to tie up to a joist, and whip upon her naked back till she was literally covered with blood.” (Douglas 1). This description is an example of the countless relentless and merciless beatings endured by enslaved individuals, underscoring the fear, cruelty, and inhumanity inflicted upon them. Such public displays of violence served as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play, with masters exerting their authority through physical punishment. The bloodshed and suffering inflicted during these barbaric acts enforced the dehumanization of enslaved peoples, treating them as mere objects to be subjected to brutality at the whim of their masters. Torture, not only causes immense physical pain but also psychological trauma, perpetuating a cycle of fear and subjugation that further reinforced the racial hierarchy of the time. This systematic use of torture as a tool of control and domination exemplifies the extreme length to which slave owners want to maintain their power and serves as an example of race-based systematic dehumanization throughout the Atlantic slave trade.

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Passage of Civil Rights Act of 1875 (New York Public Library)     The Passage of the Civil Rights Bill. New York Public Library,
     nypl.getarchive.net/media/the-passage-of-the-civil-rights-bill-e9c3a2.

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Landmark Legislation-Civil Rights Act of 1875, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, USA 

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Landmark Legislation-Civil Rights Act of 1875, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, USA 

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The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1875 represented a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice. Enacted as a culmination of centuries of efforts by activists and reformers worldwide, the legislation aimed to protect the rights of all citizens, irrespective of race or color (National Constitution Center). By recognizing the principle of equality before the law and explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on racial or ethnic identity, the act sought to dismantle systematic dehumanization that had long plate marginalized communities. The act stated, “It is essential to just government that we recognize the equality of all men before the law,” (National Constitution Center) emphasizing the fundamental importance of equality in governments and legal proceedings. It mandated that all individuals within the jurisdiction of the United States, be entitled to equal access to public accommodations, facilities, and privileges, without regard to their race or previous servitude this pivotal legislation aimed to rectify centuries of racial injustice and systematic dehumanization, marking a significant step to advancing the rights and freedoms of people of color (National Constitution Center). Despite its subsequent revocation, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 remains a testament to the enduring struggle for regional equality, and the ongoing quest to combat systemic, dehumanization and discrimination in our society.

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White House, Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

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Presidential Portrait of Barack Obama (National Portrait Gallery)     Barack Obama. National Portrait Gallery, npg.si.edu/learn/classroom-resource/
     barack-obama.

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Election of President Barack Obama 2008, Washington DC

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Election of President Barack Obama 2008, Washington DC

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Barack Obama's election as the first president of color in 2008 marked a historic moment in American history. His victory symbolized progress toward racial equity and the rejection of systemic racism. Obama’s words, "It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America," (History) resonated deeply with millions across the nation. His presidency became a beacon of hope for a more inclusive future as he stated, "all of us must summon the strength and grace to bridge our differences and unite in common effort – black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American; Democrat and Republican, young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, disabled or not." (Obama 3). Obama‘s election represented a triumph over centuries of oppression and discrimination, inspiring hope for a future free of systemic racism and discrimination. Obama’s election shattered barriers while challenging prejudices, highlighting the possibility of a society where individuals are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. (Obama). His presidency is evidence that progress is possible, even in the face of long-standing oppression. Moreover, Obama’s message of unity exemplifies the importance of collective action in overcoming divisions and working toward a more just and equitable society. In this way, his presidency aligns with a broader narrative of challenging, systemic, demonization, and advancing the cause of all equity for all individuals, regardless of race or background.