Embassy-hosted documentary continues to open eyes

Part two highlights more than 'Africans In America'

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

For those who were in attendance on Wednesday for the viewing of 'Revolution', the second of a four-part documentary series titled Africans in America, hosted by the United States of America (US) Embassy at the Old Hope Road-based Jamaica College, it was a chance to not only understand the primary subject, but also America's war for independence.

With a change in the protagonist, the documentary juxtaposes the history of Africans in America with the country's political war for independence. It was told through the narratives of George Washington (antagonist) and Venture Smith (Broteer).

Broteer, like many Africans during the 18th century, upon their arrival to America, was given a name, Venture Smith. He began his sojourn as a house slave but his physical build meant he was no walkover. Smith was sold three times before he finally bought his freedom and subsequently that of his family.

But Smith's (as well as Washington's) narrative which unfolds via voiceover (reinforced by the appropriate images), interviews with historians and prominent American political figures, presents a montage of struggles and sacrifices. Separated from his family, Smith was forced to buy their freedom. In his own words, he told of the sacrifices, "I only buy what I needed".

Sacrifices, were also made by many other Africans in America. In their quest for freedom, propelled by the sounds of the white planters cry for liberty from Europe, many joined the British after being rejected by the planters, under the instructions of General George Washington, who was bequeathed a number of slaves and a property by his late father - the same Washington who was later elected the first President of the Union.

But it was the paradoxes that helped to make the documentary memorable. In the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson "all men are created equal" but he was the owner of many slaves; after the British lost the war, slaves who were left behind were rounded up and returned to their owners; and, finally, Smith who apparently did not join the fight, became a Christian, He purchased 100 acres of land, had three houses and bought slaves who ran away.

Part two of the documentary series ended on a sobering note. Because of the loss of profits from the war, the then newly formed union increased its intake of slaves.

In the discussions that followed, the last paradox was mentioned as one of the concerns of the rather brilliantly produced documentary. Retired professor, Patrick Bryan, from the Department of History and Archaeology, University of the West Indies, was the presenter. He pointed out that "it was not unusual for blacks to own salves; they were dealing with the system; blacks in West Africa were not selling slaves they never saw a white man, they were selling enemies." The professor further explained that black ethnicity developed in the Caribbean and took 100 years to do so.

But for one member of the audience, while admitting that it was mentioned briefly in the documentary, was disappointed that there was not more focus on the relationship between the enslaved Africans and the Indians, and their combined resistance against whites as well as the linkage to the West Indies.

Bryan explained that the Jamaican planters were supportive of their American counterparts and some loyalists eventually fled to Jamaica after the British lost the war. The war also affected trade and, as a result, in 1788 ackees and breadfruit were brought to Jamaica.

The documentary's presentation of the role of religion was also a point of reference. Chapter Three titled 'Brotherly Love' will be shown at the same venue tomorrow.