THE BOOK OF NEGROES BY LAWRENCE HILL, A POSTCOLONIAL LITERARY THEORY ANALYSIS BY JOHN VELASCO (3 OF 3)

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Throughout the novel, it was very evident that colonial oppression existed. As Aminata’s African roots were stripped away slowly growing up, she begins to adapt herself within the Western world. She realizes that there were two types of white people that she met, the ones who have ill intentions on her and ones who realizes her potential. She finds it strange that she views them as how she sees them because whenever she encounters a white person during her journey, she does not know how to initially react to them yet. The Negroes in the novel are portrayed as submissive. We barely see them standing in a higher position than a white person (Maybe until the last chapter) Also, the Negroes in America and Nova Scotia are seen to be adapting European concepts with their ways of living. Christianity became the religion that most of them would believe in. As we see with Daddy Moses’ character, he is a preacher for a Methodist church who would not discriminate and judge anyone, as he is there to treat others respectfully and equally. The irony I found reading this novel is how the Negroes were taught a religion that Europeans believe in that involves respecting human beings, but the most of the Europeans in the novel do not demonstrate this. But overall, the concept of religion goes within the action of love and freedom. The story of the Exodus has been a symbol of this and is mentioned several times in the novel, in connection to Mr. Lindo’s religion and Daddy Moses’ preachings.

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British politics came to play at the last third of the novel. Most of the impactful events that happened were the rebellions’ Declaration of Independence against the British, abolitionists who promised a group of black Nova Scotian loyalists to find freedom back in Africa, and their action to impeach and abolish slavery. The Independence of the United States affects Aminata’s journey by having to stick with the British, by moving to Nova Scotia for a new life. Many things happened ever since. She gave birth to her daughter, May, and was stolen from her, Chekura dies at an accident that occurred at the ship he was on to Nova Scotia, causing her to lose hope. When abolitionist John Clarkson helped Aminata guide her to these traumas, he thinks of re-shaping her life by asking her to testify to the Parliament to abolish the barbaric act of slavery for once and for all in England. They go to Sierra Leone together with other Nova Scotians, finding out that they would not find freedom there, but would be sold for slavery again. This opened Aminata’s insight, that slavery was still happening to the people that she cared about. They were using slavery for the enrichment and delightment of the English people, to live the most privileged and powerful life possible. She eventually goes back to her village in Bayo and became their “djeli” (storyteller). She taught villagers her personal experience with slavery and its real purpose. She also states this during her testimony to the Parliament in England.

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At the end of the novel, she ends up reuniting with May and named her school after her. She would then become the great “djeli”. She would then help spread the message to many children and citizens of England of equality and love for all races, regardless of cultural boundaries. Even if Africa is seen with lions, elephants and naked women by European cartographers, this is where readers can learn how to change the perceptions that we have on other races. We have to look at them in a spiritual way. As well, I could relate to Aminata going back to Africa. Even if she is dressed up differently and is given more privileges than others, she still connects with the villagers in a cultural sense. When I came back to The Philippines after 7 years, I learned that there were people who have been marginalized in poverty after colonial establishments and powers. I was fortunate to have privileges, but as a human being with another human being with a different situation and experience, I think that understanding their stories would let our perceptions widen out. If we don’t try to fill the shoes of those who were discriminated for who they were and the types of things they did and believed in, we would not change the world for the better, in a more united way. In a world like today, racism and marginalization still exists. Most of the minorities in America are given smaller opportunities than the superior race. But take Aminata Diallo's actions for instance. She demonstrates that no matter what ethnicity you are, as long as you strive for your potential to become successful in life and as long as you can prove your credibility and loyalty towards others, then you can reach your aspirations in life. This is a way to prevent segregation between different cultures and backgrounds. As long as we try to understnad everyone, we can communicate smoothly.

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Author of The Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill.

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