Online Exhibit-Virtual tour of slavery in New York

The 5 parts of the exhibit that stood out to me are:

1.

The trade in slaves that happened in the Atlantic was very shocking. It was known
as the largest slave trading in world history. The slaves were migrated using big ships,
where it was loaded with so many slaves. Almost everyday for 400 years, a lot of
Africans had to suffer, enslaved, and spent the rest of their lives owned by others.
Looking at the picture of the ship in the website, I personally cannot imagine how
awful it is to be inside because the spaces between the people were very small and it
was really crowded. I dont think they can even move and breathing would not be
very easy since it is too packed. That was such a torture and I really could not believe
the conditions of Africans back then were very pathetic. Furthermore, I am also glad
knowing that later in the 1888, slavery came to an end in all over the New World.
Glad that there wont be human beings that will deal with those kind of torture and
now, we are all equal and no one is superior to others.

2.

The New Yorks Slave Laws was the second parts that stood out to me. Looking
and reading through the laws in each year makes me feel bad for the slaves. There
were really lots of laws and the donts for the slaves. Being a slave back then was
very difficult and horrible. Some of the laws that really torturing in my opinion is that
there could not be more than three slaves can meet together and their masters were
allowed to punish the slaves anytime they want. How come the government made that
kind of law? Human are social beings. In order to live, human beings need to adapt
and communicate with others and cannot live by themselves alone. Also, torturing

someone when they do not even did anything wrong is also very horrible. I really
could not imagine how awful and painful the slaves life would be back then. I would
not survive if I were threatened that way. In my opinion, human beings should not be
treated that way and I do not like how the laws worked that time. Fortunately,
nowadays, laws like that are not existed anymore.
3.

The life story of Deborah Squash is the third parts that caught my eyes. She
already became a slave since she was very young. General George Washington
owned her. It was known that a lot of his slaves tried to escape from his plantations
and Deborah was one of them. She escaped to the British (Generals enemies) line to
get protection and she got married with Harvey Squash. Sir Guy Carleton, the British
general, offered all of the slaves that came a freedom. When British lost by General
Washington and his clan, they wanted the British to gave him back the slaves. But,
General Carleton rejected it and he kept his promise to all the blacks. It really amazed
me how General Carleton could keep his words. In the end, he really freed all the
Blacks so that they will not be pressured again. I do feel that keeping our own words
are very important in our lives because if we can keep our words, others will see us as
a very reliable person. Not all people can keep their promises like General Carleton
and that is the one thing that stood out to me.

4.

The next part that amazed me is about John Jay, a white man who led
emancipation for the slaves, who is also a slave-owner. He signed the Gradual
Emancipation Act of 1799, he wished that every living creature in all colors and
denomination will live equally and free. Later on, in 1817, he fought completely for

total abolition. I am in awe by his actions because he really stood up and fought for
all the slaves. Not only that, even though he is White, he did not discriminate and
believe that all men are created equal. This really opens up peoples mind that all
inhabitants are equal regardless of skin colors. In results, people nowadays are all
equal and less discrimination in the society.
5.

The last part that stood out to me is the life story of Jupiter Hammon. He was born
a slave and owned by a rich merchant, Henry Llyod. Llyod provide Hammon a
Harvard graduate and British missionary to educate and teach him. He was the only
Black in New York back then who was educated and could read and write. Because
he was so educated, he fought against slavery by writing poems. Even though he
wanted slavery to come to an end, he himself did not want to be free. He thought that
he was already too old and did not know how to take care himself when he was free.
All he wanted was all of the young Blacks to be free and behave properly in Christian
way. In my opinion, I can see that Hammon was a very humble and wise man. I am
really impressed by his actions and words since he also stood up and fight against
slavery. Also, he wanted the young Blacks to always keep faith in God and I agree
with that. He gave such words that were very wise and meaningful.