Most slave owners forbade their slaves from speaking their own language, and forced them to speak English. ... For many slaves would make use of their songs and stories to educate their people, enlighten their minds and free their souls. ...

• Word Count: 2075
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Another text which explores this theme is the work of Coguano (1787), that describes, in English, the horrific conditions aboard the slave ships. ... The first one uses many documents, reports and testimonies produced by the English tribunals in eighteenth century, without consideration to the slaves point of view, or African American literature. ...

• Word Count: 4160
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School