Education Is Freedom

During the 1700s, slaves were not allowed to have the same privileges as the European Americans. Yet, certain slave owners taught their slaves what they wanted them to know. Olaudah Equiano, a slave, is passed from master to master gainging knowledge, understanding, and education on many levels. He learns to read, to write, to do arithmetic, and to dress; in addition, he becomes smart, determined, focused, and confident. He is baptized and becomes a firm believer of Christianity. In this autobiography, Europeans are not as bad of a people as some people perceieve them to be, and they see something in Olaudah that is brilliant. Equiano combines everything Europeans taught him, instilled in him, and uses it to his full advantage to buy his freedom.

Equiano thinks of himself as a free person or a person of equality like the Englishman. This could be because his masters treated him "extremely well" (pg. 689) and gave him a sense of freedom. He also gains European friends along his journey that makes him feel as if he is one with them; such as, Richard Baker whom he meets on a ship with his master Michael Henry Pascal traveling to England. "Soon after I went on board, he showed me a great deal of partiality and attention, and in return I grew extremely fond of him" (pg. 688). Which means that this European that owns slaves of his own is treating another slave with a great likeness and a kind heart. At this time in history, such actions were thought of to be uncommon and unusual.

Another friend and teacher to Equiano is Daniel Queen, "He taught me to shave, to dress, to do my hair a little, and to also read the Bible" (pg. 691). He took Daniel's lessons and used them to his advantage. A good appearance is just as important as having knowledge; moreover, it shows the person you are trying to impress that you are well groomed and can dress the part. Daniel is also the person that instills the idea into Equaino that he is free. "He used to say, that he and I never should part; and that when our ship was paid off, as I was as free as himself, or any other man on board" (pg. 691). Equiano starts to think of himself as a free man by standing up to his master and hiding money. He could have been saving his money to buy his freedom at that time, but his master Captain Doran saw fit that he must take it from him. Equaino's master could have been afraid that if he had money he would buy his freedom. This statement could