José Martí’s “Our America” was a call for nationalism for Cuba as well as Latin American/indigenous identities. While I concur with the statement made by Martí, I disagree to an extent. In my essay, I will highlight the role of government in Cuba during this time, my beliefs on his quote by referencing aligning stories of indigenous and slave resistance, and determining the contradiction behind such statement in terms of the Europeans.
Prior to the infamous ‘discovery’ of Cuba, the country had been occupied by indigenous people who lived a sustainable life. Even though it was clear that they lived a well life, Columbus and his men sought out the for what they assumed was Japan. In making this assumption, their sole purpose for their discovery …show more content…
Slaves like Juan Francisco Manzano, witnessed his mother get attacked which called for him to want to protect her and fight the owner. Like most slaves, he did not fight back because his mother warned him of punishment by his owner (50). Slave resistance was defined by escaping their slave owner and going into the wilderness to maintain life. This was a time for which different African groups came together so they could obtain their freedom (65). Often times, black sailors would aid in helping these slaves escape their fate but a punishable law was created as a result of this (67). It was interesting to see that slave owners did not quite understand why slaves would want to run away since they felt a mutual relationship was defined between the two. Many of the slaves were expected not to have access to readings because of the fear of knowledge by slave owners. If slaves knew how to read, then they’d potentially begin to question everything around them. I find this belief to be quite intriguing because without the literacy, slaves knew that they were being treated unfairly. Then again they were often times tricked into the work they thought would be beneficial for themselves and their family. This notion of slavery continues through the unfair trade system of other cultures like the Chinese. This new form of slavery was nothing different but it did show that slavery was far …show more content…
Many of the history of the Europeans have come from other forms of influence or have been done by someone else prior to them. For instance, the notion that is made by the “discovery” of Cuba is false. There was plenty of indigenous people on the island prior to the arrival of Columbus but he was the first to go on record about the island. This is similar to that of the discoveries made by the conquistadors in South America. When it comes to the slave trade, this practice was started by the Portuguese whom explored the coast of West Africa (Bristol). Once the trade reached the islands it spread to the new colonies of the
Prior to the infamous ‘discovery’ of Cuba, the country had been occupied by indigenous people who lived a sustainable life. Even though it was clear that they lived a well life, Columbus and his men sought out the for what they assumed was Japan. In making this assumption, their sole purpose for their discovery …show more content…
Slaves like Juan Francisco Manzano, witnessed his mother get attacked which called for him to want to protect her and fight the owner. Like most slaves, he did not fight back because his mother warned him of punishment by his owner (50). Slave resistance was defined by escaping their slave owner and going into the wilderness to maintain life. This was a time for which different African groups came together so they could obtain their freedom (65). Often times, black sailors would aid in helping these slaves escape their fate but a punishable law was created as a result of this (67). It was interesting to see that slave owners did not quite understand why slaves would want to run away since they felt a mutual relationship was defined between the two. Many of the slaves were expected not to have access to readings because of the fear of knowledge by slave owners. If slaves knew how to read, then they’d potentially begin to question everything around them. I find this belief to be quite intriguing because without the literacy, slaves knew that they were being treated unfairly. Then again they were often times tricked into the work they thought would be beneficial for themselves and their family. This notion of slavery continues through the unfair trade system of other cultures like the Chinese. This new form of slavery was nothing different but it did show that slavery was far …show more content…
Many of the history of the Europeans have come from other forms of influence or have been done by someone else prior to them. For instance, the notion that is made by the “discovery” of Cuba is false. There was plenty of indigenous people on the island prior to the arrival of Columbus but he was the first to go on record about the island. This is similar to that of the discoveries made by the conquistadors in South America. When it comes to the slave trade, this practice was started by the Portuguese whom explored the coast of West Africa (Bristol). Once the trade reached the islands it spread to the new colonies of the