Life Of Gustavus Vassa Chapter 1 Summary

1) In "The Modernity of Coloniality: The Underdevelopment of Development," Garcia A argues that the concept of development, as promoted by Western powers, is rooted in the colonial legacy of exploitation and underdevelopment. According to Garcia A, development is not a neutral or universally applicable concept, but rather a tool used by colonial powers to maintain their dominance and extract resources from colonized regions. This thesis suggests that the development initiatives imposed by Western powers may perpetuate inequalities and hinder genuine progress in former colonies.

To assess the credibility of Garcia A's thesis, we examine Chapter 4 of the OpenStax book on US History and Equiano's "The Life of Gustavus." Both sources provide insights
After reading Equiano's narrative, three general ideas that can be derived are:

The brutal conditions of the Middle Passage: Equiano vividly describes the horrific conditions endured by enslaved Africans during their voyage across the Atlantic. He writes, "I was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a salutation in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life: so that, with the loathsomeness of the stench, and crying together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat" (Equiano, p. 63). This highlights the inhumane treatment and suffering inflicted upon enslaved individuals during their transportation.

The dehumanization of enslaved people: Equiano depicts how enslaved Africans were stripped of their humanity and treated as mere commodities. He states, "I have seen some of these poor African prisoners most cruelly beaten, for attempting to do as they would in their own country" (Equiano, p. 75). This reveals the complete disregard for the rights and dignity of enslaved individuals, reinforcing the notion that colonial powers viewed them as property rather than human