The presented essay is aimed at comparing the works of two contemporaries lived in the 18th century, namely Jefferson and Equiano. The essay juxtaposes the views of the authors on the questions of race and attitude of white people and people of color towards the racial inequality that existed at that time. The difference in opinions of the two authors can be explained through their belonging to different racial and social groups. Jefferson is a respectable white man, one of the most important and famous statesmen in the USA. He exploits his African slaves and considered that to be normal practice. This idea is stated in his notes and Jefferson not only tolerates this inequality but promotes and explains the existing state of things. On the other hand, Equiano is an abolitionist, writer, former slave who has managed to earn freedom through intelligent trading and the ability to save and increase his income.
According to Jefferson, the white race is superior and the African slaves are inferior to their masters. He claims that people of color possess the weaker mind and ability to reason (Thomas Jefferson on the African Race, 1781, n.d). Compared to white people who are good at creating any kind of art (e.g. visual or musical), people of color have dull and confined imaginations, thus, they are not able to create anything on their own but can only reproduce something that already exists. They are also inferior to white people both in body and mind. On the contrary, Equiano (2005) argues that slaves are not superior or inferior to their white masters. They have their own weak and strong points that are explainable through the origin of the people. People of color are less cultivated, rude, and uneducated. But these characteristics do not justify slavery. Africans are more sympathetic, they feel misery towards their brothers, and are less refined than the Europeans.
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Regarding the question of beauty, Jefferson claims that African slaves possess no beauty, and in this aspect can be rather compared to animals that to people. He states that in contrast to white people, who convey their emotions and feelings by a fine mixture of white and red colors on their faces, the slaves are unable to do it and their lives and emotions are as black as their color skin. He claims that white people have more symmetric bodies, their hair is flowing, and they fairly treat the physical appearance of slaves as that of domestic animals (Thomas Jefferson on the African Race, 1781, n.d). In turn, Equiano (2005) manifests that African people are truly beautiful. They are humble, moderate, modest and graceful. All these characteristics refer to spiritual beauty which is more important than the physical attractiveness. African children are no less beautiful than white children, so there are no fundamental discrepancies between people of different races.
In terms of attitude towards life and love, Jefferson states that white people are more reasonable, cooler, can express their tender feelings towards beloved ones, and are able to reflect their thoughts (Thomas Jefferson on the African Race, 1781, n.d). Contrast to that, African slaves are more passionate, they live according to sensation rather than reflection. They are more animals than people as they require less sleep, tend to waste time on simple amusements after workday instead of resting and preparing for the next day. People of color cannot concentrate on their feelings and all their emotional sufferings are transient. On the other hand, Equiano (2005) argues that his brothers are not lazy, they are good at farming.
Both men and women are strong and take part in battles together. They teach their children to be independent and develop the ability to protect themselves. The people of color are skilled workers and are ready to labor when it comes to ensuring the welfare of their families.
The authors obviously oppose each other in terms of their views on whiteness. Jefferson claims that whiteness itself is a gift that separates normal people from those who are closer to animals (Thomas Jefferson on the African Race, 1781, n.d). The white race is superior to the Africans and it is not surprising that white population rules over people of color. White people are much more sophisticated in their minds, their bodies are symmetric and beautiful, they have a disposition towards art and romanticism. People of color are deprived of such talents. According to Jefferson, they are prone to hard labor and simple mental activities.
They are not supposed to create symphonies or write novels. In turn, Equiano (2005) states that white people possess numerous drawbacks and cannot be considered superior to any other race. He says that white sailors often abuse alcohol, are not as tidy as they suppose. They are cruel people who possess no mercy not only towards Africans but sometimes, towards each other. Contrast to them, people of color are always open and merciful towards their brothers.
Summarizing the above-mentioned opinions of both Jefferson and Equiano, it can be concluded that the fundamental difference in their views and opinions is underpinned by their belonging to different races and social classes. Such discrepancy in mind, as well as such inequality of people of different races, was acceptable at that time. Slaves and abolitionists were struggling for the rights of Africans and were eager to cease slavery, but the existed aristocracy whose prosperity and wellness depended on the stability of the “slaves-masters” system, tried to preserve the existed state of things and often developed the reasons and justifications of slavery basing on personal attitude and observations of their African slaves that were connected with philosophical and cultural concept of those times. The history has proven the rightness of equality but at that time the struggle was in full spate.
References
Equiano, O. (2005). The Interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by himself. Retrieved from https://archive.org/stream/theinterestingna15399gut/15399.txt
Thomas Jefferson on the African Race, 1781. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://historytools.davidjvoelker.com/sources/Jefferson-Race.pdf
