👶👶👶👶 Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northrup

I am stunned, horrified, and completely befuddled. To think that these southerners thought they were following God’s plan in keeping slaves, leaving them completely bereft of their dignity, is absolutely absurd. How could anyone justify such atrocities, especially by trying to base it in biblical truths?

Solomon Northrup was such an intelligent man; one can tell from his language that he was very well-educated, and certainly had the perspicacity to finally escape this living hell. What is stunning is how every second of every day of these poor souls’ lives was completely monitored. There was just no way out for them, as evidenced in the 12-year period that Mr. Northrup contemplated his escape. I was horrified that I will never know Patsey’s fate, or any of the other sweet people that “Platt” came into contact with. Although I was elated that Northrup finally triumphed; after so much loss, it had to have been difficult to move on. I can’t imagine living with the knowledge that his friends were continuing to suffer and would live out the rest of their lives in fear and misery. Certainly, he was never the same again and there had to have been some level of post-traumatic stress.

This was a compelling read, and one of utmost importance. However, readers must prepare themselves for a very emotionally-charged and melancholic experience.

Read 3/28/14