Journal Entry of a Subordinate Group Memeber

Journal Entry of a subordinate group member

Dear diary,

I am a seventeen year old female. My name is Farina. I live in Africa with my parents and siblings.

September 4, 1619: Some things are starting to happen but I am not sure if it is for the good or the bad. I live at home with my parents and siblings, but I heard all of that is about to change. I am starting to get scared now, I have the suspicion that someone is going away. There has been rumor through the fields that a big Dutch ship is coming to get some of us, and possibly sell us for slavery. Slavery, what is it? I had the courage to ask mama about slavery. Mama told me that if they do come get some of us that we are going to be working for the white folks, some of us working in the cotton fields, and some of us will be working in their homes. Why though? Why is it okay for a group of people to come take us away and move us elsewhere? I have to go now, papa is calling me.

Okay diary, I have returned. My suspicions were right, someone was going away, I had no idea it would be me. They told mama and papa they had to stay, and they were taking me because I was young and they feel that I will work hard. I am very uneasy about them taking me; I’m scared, and alone. They only brought 25 or so people with them. I am sitting on this ship riding on the ocean. Although I do not like this situation, the ocean and sky are beautiful. I can hear birds chirping in the distance and the air smells wonderful. This ship is quite uncomfortable there is really no place to sit, and the floors are very hard. I would have thought there would have been more room since they only brought some of us.

September 25, 1619: Well, I have arrived at the plantation, I have never seen houses this big, and their fields are much bigger than ours. What can I say? Guess I better make the best of it, since this is where I am going to be. One of the ship members noticed me writing in my diary and threatened to take it! This is the only...