Olaudah Equiano Case Study

2/25/2013

Read through the hand out about Equiano. Then, write a paragraph response on the class blog to the following question:

When Equiano became free, what was the main reason why he didn’t move back to Benin? Cite a specific piece of evidence from the excerpt to support your response.

84 Comments

Mr. L

2/25/2013 02:30:19 am

This is a sample comment. Look how easy it is.

Marcus Gutierrez

2/26/2013 09:56:15 am

I think Olaudah Equiano had not gone back to Benin because there were better opportunities for him in Great Britain. In the third paragraph it says he was free from being a slave, then as he moved to Britain he had become a barber as well as a servant. Although, in my opinion he also did not want people to witness the same thing he had. During those times, in Great Britain opposing slavery was strong. So he joined the antislavery movement and became a speaker for the organization, in order to abolish slavery. This is why I think he did not go back to Benin.

Lauren spears

2/26/2013 11:20:32 am

When Equiano was set free, he didn't go back to africa. This is mostly because he didnt want to chance becoming a slave, once again. Instead, he moved to Great Britan, where slavery was strongly looked against. It says this in paragraph three, stating " A few years later, he was allowed to buy his freedom. Still later, he moved to Great Britan, where opposition to slavery was strong." Therefore, i think he was sending a message that went against slavery; not only because of moving to Great Britan, but also because he later joined the antislavery movement as a speaker. This is why i say he didnt move back to his home land. :)

Brandon Rufrano

2/26/2013 11:22:30 pm

I believe that Equiano could not return back to Africa because he believed he couldn't make a difference there, another reason might be the fact that his sister was taken as a slave also and he felt that the traders had now made this personal and he had to at least try to make a change. When he wrote the story about the horrifying voyage with all the other slaves and the "loathsome smells" I think it had turned out just like he wanted it to because I think that after people read his story it opened some of there eyes to the real idea of slavery.

Sierra Hastings

2/25/2013 10:22:31 am

I think the main reason Olaudah Equiano didn't return to Africa is because he wanted to stay and help fight slavery in Great Slavery. He wanted to make sure that no one would have to go through the atrocities he went through on the slave ship, or the hardships of slavery. Reference to this is when the article states in the third paragraph that after he moved to Great Britain and got a job he "...joined the antislavery movement as a speaker." This clearly exemplifies my point. Someone does not simply move to Great Britain, and risks his life by joining an antislavery movement for no reason. I think it was a very bold act, and I admire his braveness. Most people back then would've never even attempted what he did. This is the main reason that I believe Olaudah Equiano did not return to Africa; not because he didn't love it, but because he loved the people too much to return. He wanted to ensure their safety before his own, one of the main staples of African society; put the well being of the group before and individual.

Ana Richards

2/25/2013 11:15:48 am

BRAINBLAST

Chase Connelly

2/25/2013 11:17:03 am

That was totally necessary.

Melissa Hayes

2/25/2013 11:39:23 am

Sierra's a genius. We knew this.

Sierra Hastings

2/26/2013 12:37:23 pm

VIRTUAL HIGH FIVE

Erika Baker (THE BESTIE)

2/26/2013 12:44:36 pm

GREAT VOCAB very detailed...

Megan Taylor

2/26/2013 11:34:10 pm

MIND BLOWN....

Christina Rawlins

2/25/2013 10:45:38 am

The main reason Olaudah Equiano didn't move back to Benin was because he didn't want to return feeling so powerless. He had hope to make a change. As the text states, "...he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong." It proves he wasn't willing to stop without joining the antislavery movement. There he found work and also had time to write and sucessfully publish.

Ana Richards

2/25/2013 11:18:28 am

Good Effort!!!

Melissa Hayes

2/25/2013 11:35:14 am

The main reason Olaudah Equiano did not immediately return to Benin upon being freed could be any number of things. One reason that leaps out at me, although it wasn't mentioned in the text, is that once he returned he could easily have been re-captured and put back into slavery again! However, I find that a more likely reason is that in his homeland (which he may not even remember all that well - after all, he had already spent over half his life in slavery, either in a different area of Africa or in America), there wasn't much he could do to help stop slavery. Being one of the few who were put through and miraculously survived it, he no doubt felt some obligation to aid those who may not be so fortunate as he. In Britain, he could aid the anti-slavery act without being alone, and he could also provide others participating in the movement his first-person point of view of slavery. In the text, it notes that he "joined the anti-slavery movement as a speaker," which he would have been quite unable to do back in Africa.

Melissa Hayes

2/25/2013 11:37:32 am

This was due tomorrow, not Wednesday, right? Here on the home page it says Wednesday, but you told us it was due by the beginning of class on Tuesday.

Chase Connelly

2/25/2013 11:36:47 am

The main reason that Olaudah Equiano did not return to the Kingdom of Benin was because he wanted to aid in the fight against slavery. He believed that slavery was not just, and he did not want others to go through the same pain that he did. As it says in the third paragraph, "Still later, he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong." Equiano moved to Great Britain to join the antislavery movement and put an end to the injustice.

Mr. L

2/25/2013 11:44:13 am

It is due before class on Wednesday! I apologize if I misspoke during 4th period. No worries though- now you are all done. :)

Riley Murphy

2/25/2013 11:52:10 am

The main reason Olaudah Equiano did not return to Benin after being freed from slavery was to help prevent it from happening anymore. As suggested in paragraph three, since slavery was strongly opposed in Great Britain, Equiano wanted to help make sure other Africans did not have to go through such a terrible thing in their lives. Equiano had been through so many terrible things that he wanted to be sure it would be stopped, and he wanted to be a part of making it stop.

Tony

2/25/2013 12:00:56 pm

I think the reason Olaudah Equiano did not move back to his home is because he wanted to help and protest for other people's freedom so they wouldn't go through the pain and suffering he went through and the things he saw done to slaves like him. He wants all people to be free and understand how unfair it is to treat people of different color the way they did. In the exert it states 'he joined the antislavery movement as a speaker' this shows he wanted to help poeople that are going through what he did and what other people will go through in the future if it isn't stopped.

William Nguyen

2/25/2013 12:42:01 pm

I think the main reason that Olaudah Equiano didn't want to return to Benin is the memories he had with his sister. It would probably remind him of the time when he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved by other Africans. Another reason is that he would probably be enslaved again. As he did opposed slavery and thought it was unjust, he decided to go to Great Britain and join the anti-slavery movement which was much stronger there. "Still later, he moved to Great Britain, where oppostion to slavery was strong." This shows his feelings of oppostion torwards slavery.

Kai Baker

2/25/2013 01:37:22 pm

The main reason Olaudah Equiano didn’t want to go back to Benin was that he did not want to risk being caught and enslaved again, and relive the horror of being on a slave boat. Equiano described in the story that “when he was about eleven years old traders kidnapped him and one of his sisters”. He further described that they “were separated and Equiano was enslaved in his own country”, before being sent on a brutal slave ship to the island of Barbados and forced to work on the sugar plantations. The risk of being enslaved, dragged across the ocean in horrible conditions or traded to a slave owner made Equiano not want to go back to his country. The experience of being a slave from an early age was enough for Equiano to know it was better not to move back and no doubt only misery and death would be there if went back. In the end Equiano smartly decided not to go back to Benin and pursued his future in Great Britain where opposition to slavery was strong.

Tera Cafro

2/25/2013 02:12:12 pm

The most evident reasons Olaudah decided to stay in Great Britain among his release were because the power and spread of knowledge during that era. Seeing his passion to abolish slavery, we can look to the fact that his decision to spread knowledge of slavery throughout the new world would intern aid the problem more than returning back home and hiding from the problem. He used the only tool possible to defend Africans and spread knowledge of the stories, which most feared to share. The even more powerful statement he made was by publishing his autobiography, an eternal voice, one which he could not have made if he fled back to Begin.

Tera Cafro

2/25/2013 02:13:47 pm

*Benin

Ciani Vasquez

2/26/2013 03:34:41 am

Olaudah Equiano didnt want to go back to Benin because he was free already and didnt want to loose his freedom. Also wanted to fight for others freedom. He joined the antislavery in order to help other be free and not become slaves for others.

Christian Bacong

2/26/2013 07:16:05 am

The Main Reason he did not move back to Benin was because he wanted to move to Great Britain, where there was a strong opposition to slavery as said in paragraph 3. Once he moved to Great Britain, he found a job as a barber and servant. After that, he joined the Antislavery Movement and became a speaker for the group. He seemed to have wanted to fight for those who were slaves because he didn’t want them to experience what he had experienced. Also to help in the Antislavery Movement, he published an autobiography to show how it was in his country and how it was to be a slave.

Simon Nguyen

2/26/2013 01:21:58 pm

The main reason that Olaudah Equiano did not move back to Benin was because he had nothing in Benin that he knew that he could go back to. He had no idea if his family was still alive and if they were, where they would be. In the text, it states that Equiano found work as a barber, servant, and joined an antislavery movement as a speak, showing that he had created a life for himself, fighting for a cause and giving him a reason to stay in Great Britain. He spoke against slavery and told its horrors in speeches and in his writings.

David Xu

2/26/2013 07:57:45 am

There are quite a few reasons why Equiano might have chosen to remain in the New World rather than return to Benin, not least of which is the fact that he could easily have been captured and returned to the colonies. In addition, even if Equiano were able to avoid recapture, he would have accomplished nothing. Through a series of miraculous events that can be attributed to little other than chance, Equiano found himself in a position to proclaim the horrors of slavery. And proclaim it he did in his autobiography--an autobiography that would not have existed had Equianos not chosen to stay and try to make a difference. Ultimately, to return to Benin would have been a foolhardy and cowardly choice, and Equianos, in choosing to stay and fight, proved that he was neither a fool nor a coward.

Angelica Roberts

2/26/2013 07:59:12 am

The reason why he didn't want to move back was because he wanted to help end slavery and was in an antislavery movement and he wanted to show how slavery was and how it was to be a slave and why it was wrong and equiano was in slaved in his own country and then he published an autobiography within 1789.

connar mcginness

2/26/2013 08:06:16 am

Olaudah Equino did not move back to the kingdom of Benin because after he was free he wanted to go to Great Britain. He wanted to go there because that's where opposition to slavery was strong. In Britain he became a speaker against slavery. If he moved back to Benin he might not have had the opportunity to become a speaker. He might of even got captured again if he moved back.

Kiersten Guymon

2/26/2013 08:08:25 am

When Olaudah Equiano was freed around 1770, he did not move back to his homeland of Benin. Though the secondary source does not clarify the reason, to me the answer is clear. After Olaudah was freed, he moved to Britain and joined the antislavery movement. This clearly shows that although Olaudah might have wanted to return to his home, he felt it was more important to fight against what had taken him away from it. He did not want others to go through what he had been forced to endure. This was very noble of him to put the interests of others before his own. I think he is a great character in our world's history because of it.

Gill-Gill Leibelt

2/26/2013 08:27:55 am

When Equiano became free, he did not make the long journey back to his homeland is Western Africa. Why is this you may ask? Well, from a reader’s perspective, l believe he did not go back his home because of the terrible memories that were associated with his past. He had clearly been traumatized with the experience he had gone through as a slave. Even after he bought his own freedom, he could easily have become a slave is he returned to Benin. He could be captured, and the experience that had previously happened to him could possibly occur again. Living and staying in Great Britain gave him a chance to live a new life, instead of having to return to his previous one. Equiano was also active in the movement against slavery in Great Britain, which held much importance to him because he had been a slave. Evidence for this includes the article itself because of how often the torturous conditions and bad memories are spoken of. For example, paragraph two talks about the death of numerous people around him on the ship, in great detail, and how it was miraculous that he survived. To conclude, Equiano did not return to his home in Africa because of the fear, the trauma, and the experience that he had previously suffered through.

Han Tran

2/26/2013 08:30:19 am

The main reason why Olaudah Equiano didn't move back to Benin when he became free was because if he moved back he may have been put back into slavery. As the article says in the first paragraph, "Equiano was enslaved in his own country" so, if he moved back when slavery in Africa was still happening, what would stop the slave traders from taking him again and putting him back into slavery? He instead moved to Great Britain once he bought his freedom in America. Once in Great Britain, he then wanted to increase awareness of slavery in Africa so then it may be abolished and he can return peacefully to his home without the worry of being captured and thrown back into slavery where he was worked to death on sugar plantations. He increased awareness by publishing an autobiography of his life as a slave as well as joining and speaking at the antislavery movement in Britain. By moving to Great Britain once he earned his freedom, joining the antislavery movement, and by publishing his autobiography, Olaudah Equiano did the right thing so that slavery in his home and country could eventually cease to exist.

Derek Nguyen

2/26/2013 08:34:58 am

The main reason I think Olaudah Equiano did not want to go back to Benin after he was freed because he did not want his freedom being taken from him again or anyone else so he had moved to Great Britain. In the handout, it says that he moved to Great Britain because there the people were against slavery. This shows how he did not like slavery therefore meaning he did not want to go back because he was enslaved in his own country. So by joining the antislavery movement, he wanted to help out others that might have been in the same situation as he was and staying away from Benin because his freedom might be stripped from him again.

Shantal Sanchez

2/26/2013 08:48:12 am

The main reason why Olaudah Equiano didnt't retun to Benin and went to Great Britain because he had just bought his freedom, and if he returned to Benin his freedom could possibly be taken away again. In other words, he could be captured and sold again. He preferred to go to Great Britain because Britain did not want slavery, they were against slavery. There Equiano could share about his experience being a slave. He wrote a book because he was free, and he was able too. When he was in slavery be probably wouldn't be able to write a book or publish it. This is why I think Equiano didn't return to Benin.

Shantal Sanchez

2/26/2013 08:53:15 am

(I wanted to add more)

I also believe that Equiano wrote the book so he would let others know how Africans who were slaves felt about slavery. He probably wanted to persuave countries and stop slavery. That is also why he joined the Anti-slavery movement, so he can speak about slavery.

Brittney Fleming

2/26/2013 08:48:14 am

I personally think that the main reason that Olaudah Equiano didn't move back to Africa, was so that he could help in the antislavery movement. I think because he experienced slavery first hand, he didn't want anyone else to experience such brutality and horror. Because of this he "joined the antislavery movement as a speaker," and "attacked the slave trade wherever it existed."

Yulisa Frausto link

2/26/2013 09:05:03 am

I think the main reason Olaudah Equiano didn't return to Benin after he was free, is because he didn't want to get captured and sold again. He described his voyage from Africa to Barbados basically as brutal. He wrote "The shrieks of women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable." After going through what he went through i wouldn't want to go back to Benin and get captured again. That's the main reason he moved to Great Britain, instead of going back to Benin.

Mary ( is da bomb ) Sellers

2/26/2013 09:19:27 am

The reason why Olaudah Equiano didn't want to return to the kingdom of Benin is probably because there was so much more he could do in England than in Benin. In England Olaudah was person who could have and influence on the world and change it in some small way. By joining the anit-slavery movement would include one more voice to help end slavery. In Benin Olaudah was just another thing that could be traded.

Kevin Schlitz

2/26/2013 09:24:02 am

I think that Olaudah Equiano didn't return to Benin after he was freed because he was able to go to a very safe and secure place that helped and supported his beliefs. Great Britain was anti-slavery and Olaudah could help them abolish slavery and still have no chance of getting taken into slavery again. In his autobiography he clearly stated that he hated slavery and that was why he didn't go back to Benin.

Morgan Shoemaker

2/26/2013 09:38:26 am

Olaudah Equiano did not return to Benin, because, as it states in the third paragraph, he moved to Britiain and joined the antislavery movement. Britain was strongly opposed to slavery, so he had the opportunity there to join the movement and likely had more acceptance and freedom than he would've had if he had moved anywhere else. If he had moved back to Benin instead of going to Britain, he might not have been accepted or may have even been brought back into slavery. Even if he was safe there, he probably wouldn't have been able to find his family, because they were likely brought into slavery. If he tried to move back to Benin after being in Britain, he certainly wouldn't have been accepted for being a part of the antislavery movement, and would have faced violence, for Benin was pro-slavery. He would've also put in danger anyone who was friendly with him, including friends and family, because they would then be associated with someone from the anti-slavery movement. So therefore, if Equiano had tried to go back to Benin either before or after going to Britain, he would've faced danger, hardships, and violence, as well as giving hardships for others. That is why he didn't go back.

Boo Fullwood

2/26/2013 09:48:27 am

It is my belief that Olaudah Equiano because he felt that it was his duty to attempt to assist his fellow Africans who were still kept in slavery. He most likely felt that his ability to help would be greatly diminished or completely nullified by the distance that would separate him from the source of the problems should he have returned to Africa. By remaining in England, he placed himself at the epicenter of the English antislavery movement. This would allow him to play a key role in gaining the freedom of English slaves. It is also wise to consider that, had he returned to Africa, his book, "The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano", may never have been written. This would have deprived the world of a key insight into the abominations of the slave trade; possibly causing a delay in the abolition of slavery in many countries. Also, on a more material note, life in Africa was probably not nearly as comfortable as life in Britain, though still infinitely preferable to the life of a slave.

Boo Fullwood

2/26/2013 09:57:28 am

As an addition to my previous post that was submitted sans references, as it is clearly stated in the third paragraph, " moved to Britain, where opposition of slavery was strong. Finding work as a barber and servant...", it is clear that he cared more for ending slavery than money as he chose professions that would give his enough money but would also allow him time to speak for the antislavery movement. Choosing to pursue these professions these professions, rather than attempt to move up the social ladder shows a dedication to the cause rather than to material goods.

Carter Shirley

2/26/2013 09:57:38 am

The reason why Olaudah Equiano did not want to return to Benin after he was a free slave was because he liked it where he lived in Great Britain where the slavery opposition was very strong. There he found work as a barber and a servant. Through his work he found and joined the antislavery movement as a speaker. Even though he likely missed his home, he had his freedom in Great Britain and the right and privilege to oppose slavery. He wrote his autobiography on himself about the slave trade in Africa to convince others about the opposition of slavery.

Sarah Schoenfeld

2/26/2013 10:00:29 am

I believe the main reason why Equiano didn't return to Benin after he was freed is because he was scared that the same horror story would be relived. The article states that it was a horrifying voyage and those who were enslaved had to deal with brutality. This probably scared Equiano to his bones making him want to "join the anti slavery movement as a speaker in 1766". I believe this is one of many great reasons why Equiano stayed in Great Britian instead of going back to Benin.

Diego Orea

2/26/2013 10:13:44 am

I think that Olaudah Equiano didnt go back to his home in Benin because hes had more opportunities where he was instead of Benin. He also probably stayed so that he could fight slavery I think this because in 2nd paragraph it saids that Equiano moved to Britain and joined an antislavery movement. In conclusion I think that Olaudah Equiano didnt go back to Benin because he would have a better life where he was and he could also fight slavery in Britain.

Lauren Redford

2/26/2013 10:13:58 am

He didn't specifically say this, but I think Equiano was scared of being enslaved again. If he went back to Africa, slave-traders might not believe that he was a freed slave.
Equiano went to Britain, because they strongly disliked slavery. Proof that they opposed it is that he was allowed to be a speaker amongst the white men.
"...he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong..."

Ruben Beltran

2/26/2013 10:22:50 am

I believe that the main reason for Equiano not to move back to Benin was because he wanted to help those who were still under slavery. He did this by being a speaker at the antislavery movement and along with the publishing of his autobiographies which gave the inside on slave trade. Along with a possibility of him being captured again if he went back to Benin, to be a slave once more.

Alex Rodriguez

2/26/2013 10:38:05 am

The reason why Olaudah Equiano didn't return to Benin is that he didn't want to take any chance re-experience the horrors that he had been around when he was taken into slavery. If he would've returned to Benin then there could have been a chance that he could be kidnapped and put into slavery again. Another reason Equiano didn't return to Benin is that the conditions in Britain might have been better than the conditions in Benin. In Britain he was a barber and was in the anti-slavery movement. Overall in Britain he had better living conditions and helped stop slavery.

Ges Granahan

2/26/2013 10:39:18 am

I think Equiano moved to Great Britain instead of going back to Benin because he wanted to help free others from slavery, and people were strongly against it in Great Britain. He might have thought that it would be selfish for him to go back home while he had the opportuninty to help free others from the horrible experience he went through. He also knew what it felt like to be taken away from a family and that they wanted to return to theirs. The last sentence in the third paragraph says, "Still later, he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong. Finding work as a barber and servant, he joined the antislavery movement as a speaker."

Yazmin Orduno

2/26/2013 10:39:18 am

The reason that Olaudah Equiano didn't move back to Benin was in the second paragraph where he states that the voyage was horrifying and for the people who were enslaved was terror and brutality. I'm pretty sure he didn't want his family to suffer the way he did. Olaudah didn't want his family to separated and auctioned for some other family. He had a much better life where he was where he wouldn't need to hide.

Matt Gilbert

2/26/2013 10:48:17 am

The main reason Olaudah Equiano didn't move back to Benin was that, as stated in the first paragraph, he basically had a horrible time there, getting kidnapped at age 11 and spending some time being enslaved which I've heard kind of sucks. Moving back would also probably remind him what he went through getting out. He was granted an opportunity to help put an end to slavery by becoming a speaker for the antislavery movement in Great Britain, so why would he want to move back anyway?

Nikki

2/26/2013 11:40:37 am

This is so formal its rediculous

Chris Amador

2/26/2013 10:49:49 am

I think that Olaudah didnt go back because he wanted to start fresh. A new life. He wanted to start a new life in a place where he could be free. I also think he wanted to be a around people like him. People that are against slavery. Just like the hand out says " A few years later, he was allowed to buy his freedom. Still later, he moved to Great Britian, where opposition to slavery was strong."

Francisco Martinez

2/26/2013 10:58:28 am

I think the main reason why olaudah equiano did not move back to benin the people that were captured or enslaved were to take a horrible voyage he said that once he was on the ship their was a horrible "loathsome smells". once he bought his own freedom and became a antislave person

Bernabe Camacho

2/26/2013 10:59:00 am

I think there were multiple reasons of why Olaudah Equiano did not go back to Benin. My first reason is Olaudah didn't want to remember all the horrors that he had to face during the time he was enslaved. For example, in the text (paragraph 2) it says " He described the enslaved people's terror and the brutality of the crew...". This shows how horrific Olaudah must have felt and going back to Benin would remind him of the pain he went through. Another reason of why he didn't want to go back to Benin is because of what happened the day he was captured. As previously said, he face many horrors. And one of them included his sister and him being kidnapped by traders. After, they were separated from each other. My 3rd reason is that he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong. Olaudah probably felt more comfortable being in a place where he supported by others. Soon after, he became a member of the anti slavery movement and became a speaker. There he was able to speak his thoughts and help support other slaves.

Cais Sudduth

2/26/2013 11:00:32 am

The main reason why Olaudah Equiano didn't travel back to Benin after gaining his freedom was because he did not want to risk getting captured as a slave again. As the article stated in the second paragraph slave trade was to miserable for Olaudah to bear. For example he stated that the slave boats had “loathsome smells,” and “The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying,” he wrote “rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable” Also he didn't move back to Benin because then he could not write his autobiography and raise awareness about slavery. Those are the main reasons why Olaudah Equiano didn’t move back to Benin.

Katie Braverman link

2/26/2013 11:17:28 am

One of the main reasons Olaudah Equiano did not return to Africa is because he wanted to focus and participate in the antislavery movement. As a slave he experienced true brutality and terror and had wished that upon no other man or woman. Because of this "Olaudah moved to Great Britain where opposition slavery was strong." He became a speaker and inspired people to fight for their freedom and others' too. Olaudah wanted to help those in need of saving and encourage people not to give up their freedom.

francisco martinez

2/26/2013 11:22:51 am

I think that Olaudah Equiano did not want to return to Benin was the many reasons that one he did not want to get captured again and be brutaly punished aboard a ship full of dying people that are beginning to rot and people pleading for their lives.Also after all of this misrey he became antislavery he also published his own autobiography in 1789 were most of our knowledge probaley comes from since the times of cruel and unhuman times.

Nikki DiAntonio

2/26/2013 11:31:40 am

When Equiano became free, I think he did not return to Benin because he feared he might be captured and turned into a slave again. He wouldn't want to risk traveling the Middle Passage again, what he described as,"The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable". Also, Equiano might not have had any family to return to. In the first paragraph of the biography, it says,"But when he was about eleven years old, traders kidnapped him and one of his sisters while their parents were working. The children were separated, and Equiano was enslaved in his own country". This shows that he was taken from his home, where the rest of his family lived. The chances of the white men not returning and enslaving more or the rest of his family is very slim. Also, If his parents or older family had survived the slave trade, they would have probably died of old age by the time Equiano was freed.

William Ruffo

2/26/2013 11:37:51 am

The reason that Olaudah Equiano didnt return to Benin was because that when he bought his freedom he went to find a place of solitude and a place where he can fight against slavery. Instead of going back to Benin he went to Great Britain where he published a book about his life as a slave.

Lili Ulloa

2/26/2013 11:44:59 am

It is quite obvious that the reason that Olaudah Equiano did not return to Benin was to join to the antislavery movement in Great Britain. The long years of his mortifyingly grotesque voyage across the Atlantic, the Middle Passage route, as an enslaved African, forcefully made face the horrors that a plethora of Africans must face, “...the brutality of the crew as well as the suffocating heat and ‘loathsome smells’ of the hold below decks where the captives were crowded, many of them in chains. ‘The shrieks of women, and the groans of the dying’”. He refused to let this pass him. He endured this oppression and subsequently ended up free, he experienced the stark and depressing phases of being a slave, and tasted the sweet pulchritudinous taste of freedom, he wanted all slaves to feel the freedom as well. Equiano was especially must have been especially motivated since his family was in Benin and for all he knew they could have faced this same fate. “...he moved to Great Britain, where the opposition to slavery was strong”. He moved to Great Britain for a reason... to join the movement of ending the masochistically diverse borders between man, SLAVERY.

Bryan Santiago centeno Fernando Gonzales demjeck ezio scar apply de Leon rios

2/26/2013 11:46:07 am

In the inspirational story of Olaudah Equiano, we read of his terrifyingly gruesome journey across the Atlantic Ocean. He was taken from his family in Benin forced on a slave ship and sent of to a foreign against his will. In 1776, he was bought by an American and eventually was able to buy his freedom (What a nice slaver). To many who would experience what Equiano did and then become free; it would ludicrous to even rethink the events that took place, yet Olaudah was willing to sacrifice a reunion in his home for a much better cause. What I believe is the reason Olaudah did not return was because knowing he was free, he was given an opportunity that many people of his ethnicity were not usually given, he spread awareness of the suffering of his people and all slaves. Even the fact that he was openly speaking with intelligence could plant the idea into Europeans and Americans that Africans were capable of much more then people were aware of. And so I conclude my observation of this article by bringing up the fact that the last scentence of it was excrutiayingly short, I mean u could of learned so much more of his book of poetr, I mean GOOD LORD! It could have been so much more,with the little rhyming and the pstststsp puns aaaaaaaaah! Anyway it was good, thank thee Sir. L. Bryan Out!

Mr.L

2/26/2013 12:06:20 pm

Bryan your an awesome guy. Can't wait to see you at school.

Bryan Santiago centeno Fernando Gonzales demjeck ezio scar apply de Leon rios

2/26/2013 12:07:45 pm

I know.

Alexandria Boreman (:

2/26/2013 12:10:55 pm

After reading the article, I believe Equiano didn't return to Benin because of several reasons. He was separated from his siblings, and Great Britain was a better place for a free black slave. Great Britain is a better place because that's where opposition to slavery was strong and there was most likely less discrimination against blacks. Overall, he didn't return to Benin because Great Britain seemed like a better option then going back to Benin.

Ava Klein

2/26/2013 12:17:17 pm

I think that Equiano didn't move back to Benin because he wanted to join the antislavery movement. He recalled the awful and disturbing horrors of slavery, and wanted to make sure that he was part of the cause to end it. He describes the experience with gruesome detail: "The shrieks of women, and the groans of the dying rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable." Why would he want to return to a place that refreshed those horrid memories?So, moving to Britain, where slavery opposition was strong was the best choice. Equiano joining the antislavery movement renewed hope for slaves and former slaves everywhere.

Nanette Smith

2/26/2013 12:24:16 pm

I think that Olauda Equiano didn't return to Benin because he had bad memories of being taken and then separated from his sister while their parents were out working. I also think he didn't return because after he payed his fee to become free he was recognized as a free man in that area. I think when he moved to Britain, as mentioned in the third paragraph, because he knew they were vehemently opposed to slavery compared to other places and he wanted to help free other slaves which he felt his efforts were best being put to use in Britain.

Julian Maravilla

2/26/2013 12:33:29 pm

Olaudah Equiano got very educated and finally knew what they were doing to him and the people that very enslaved. He later became free from being a slave so their was no reason to go back to Benin since the people from their might not like him or he would fear of having the same fate all over again.

Daniel Ehrlich

2/26/2013 12:33:47 pm

I think he didn't go back because he wanted to live somewhere where slavery was strongly opposed. In the biography it mentions how in Great Britain slavery was strongly opposed. I think he felt like in Great Britain he would be safer and more successful. He wanted to be treated equally and not unfairly.

Erika Baker

2/26/2013 12:42:35 pm

Equiano didn't go back to Benin because he wanted to join the Antislavery movement in Britain. This is so no one will ever have to go through the harsh environment, as he did. Equiano had to grow up very quickly due to the fact that he was now currently a slave. Equiano also didnt head back to Benin because he knew that if he did his parents and family would most likely not be there anymore and he may be forced back into the harsh life of slavery, which he worked very hard to get out of.

Brooke Munoz

2/26/2013 12:59:38 pm

I believe that the main reason why Equiano didn't go back to Benin is because he wanted to join the antislavery movement in Britain. Equiano had already experienced what it was like to be a slave and he didn't want anyone else to have to suffer like he did. Another reason why he didn't want to go back to Benin is that he had worked so hard to gain his freedom and he didn't want to lose it. Equiano knew that if he went back to Benin there was a possibility that his freedom could be taken away from him.

Brianna Rocquemore

2/26/2013 01:09:06 pm

Olaudah Equiano didn't move back to Benin because he wanted to go to a place where there was a strong opposition to slavery. This could have been because he didn't want to risk being captured and sold back into slavery again. Also, many people in Great Britain participated in antislavery movements, and Equiano wanted to in them as a speaker.

Sam I Am Who Likes Green Eggs and Ham Stofko

2/26/2013 01:38:16 pm

The main reason why Olaudah didnt go back to Africa was to help fight against slavery. He wanted to join the fight to abolish slavery so no one would have to go through the pain he had dealt with. Knowing that going back to Benin would almost be a waste to try and spread his ideas of abolishing slavery, he went to Great Britain where his voice was indefinitely heard with other people who felt strongly on ending slavery.

Chase Connelly

2/26/2013 11:33:29 pm

Where's the quote? Huh, Sam?

Kiera Livingston

2/26/2013 01:48:55 pm

When Equiano became free, the main reasons he didn't move back to Benin was I believe because he wanted to be part of the antislavery movement in Britain. In the third paragraph , it states that there was a great disagreement on slavery in Britain where Equiano probably felt in a way , safe. The fact that he joined the antislavery movement as a speaker showed he was passionate about his freedom and helping people through what he dealt with in his past.

Marina Montijo

2/26/2013 02:33:24 pm

Olaudah Equiano didn't go back to Benin for two reasons: One, he was probably used to life in America and used to speaking English. Two, he wanted to be involved in the anti-slavery movement. In the 3rd paragraph of the article it says that he moved to Great Britain after being freed in order to join the movement as a speaker. Those are the two main reasons.

Tina Thielman

2/26/2013 10:32:47 pm

After reading the text, I believe there are many reasons why Olaudah Equiano didn't return to his homeland after being freed from slavery. Some of these reasons being the high number of job opportunities in Britain and his determination to not becoming a slave again (Britain strongly opposed to slavery), but in my opinion, the main reason Equiano stayed in Britian was the opportunity to help those in slavery. It states on the text that after traveling to Britian, he joined the anti-slavery movement and became a speaker.

Christian Valencia

2/26/2013 10:42:24 pm

I think that Olaudah did not go back after he had been freed because he feared that if he went back, he might be faced with worse things in Africa than in Britain as a free man. He did not want the risk of repeating the same fate if he went back. He also might have not wanted to back because of the abolitionist movements that he could take a part in.

Brianna Michelle Farner link

2/26/2013 10:44:07 pm

Why would a slave want to go back to the place where he was enslaved before, when there was an opportunity and greater chance of long term freedom somewhere else? Well, Equiano chose the path that would let him have a voice and have freedom for himself. In paragraph 2, "...he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong" showing that where he was, he was safe from being enslaved again. For instance, the fact that he could have a job as a barber or servant and be part of a antislavery movement as someone that was going to be heard, he had a better chance of becoming an important figure in African culture (just as he is now) by helping his fellow Africans and ban slavery forever. What a great feeling it would be to be able to save people from what you had been through.

Megan Taylor

2/26/2013 11:37:34 pm

I think that Olaudah Eqiano did not want to return to Africa because of many reasons, one being that he did not want to risk being caught again, and of his bad memories that he probably associated with his homeland. For example, if you were taken forcefully from your home, and people were being killed there, would you want to go back? If you look back on his life, you would see the hardships that slaves would have to go through.

Itamunoibim cookeygam

2/27/2013 03:04:41 am

I think he did want to go back to Africa because of different reasons. One was because he would have being captured again. This is because many places did not stop slavery. Another reason is that he would have a good job over there and his education would have been wasted.

Evan McGeachy

2/27/2013 03:09:03 am

During Olaudah's life he faced many challenges he had to overcome. Just before adolescence he was abducted and enslaved. Over his time as a slave he traded hands many times and because of this he learned a great deal about life. So much in fact that he was compelled to write a book about his experiences entitled The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano. This biography accounted his slave experiences and the conditions that slaves lived in. All of this background information serves a valid purpose, to understand where this man is coming from and how he got to where he is. The reasoning behind Olauduh's decision to not go back to Benin is so that he could fight for slaves rights as they did not have a say of their own in society. This is indicated by his constant fight for the rights of slaves.

Ross Pulsifer

3/6/2013 10:41:54 pm

Olaudah Equiano was put into slavery when he was a young kid. He was able to buy his freedom a few years later. He moved to Great Britain and stayed out of Benin. I think he did this so he could be an influence to antislavery activists. "... he moved to Great Britain, where opposition to slavery was strong... he joined the antislavery movement as a speaker." This showed that he wanted to help and be part of the antislavery movements. Also he may not want to go back to where he was kidnapped from and have a chance to have it happen again.

Pas Cher Free Run link

4/16/2013 12:28:07 pm

Olaudah Equiano Case Study

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