In my class today,we were talking about Sarah Baartman. I was amazed that I had never heard about her ever before in my life, her story is one of great interest. She was an African woman who was tricked into coming to Europe, not as a slave really, but as a freak. Baartman was a full figured woman, and compared to what the Europeans were used to, a very rare novelty. Her voluptuous curves dumbfounded both men and woman alike, and she was sold to a circus to bring in revenue. She was put on display not for any positive reason, but with the malicious intentions of allowing people to view her as an object. Eventually, people grew tired of her and she had to find work elsewhere. And what other occupation could she get, but one of a prostitute. And so she sold her body for the last remaining years of her life, dying at the age of twenty-five, after five years of hell in Europe.
But even in death she was not free. Her vagina, breasts, butt, and skeleton were cut up and removed to be put on a display for all to see. She was legally the property of the country. It was not until 2002, 200 years after her capture, that she was returned to her home country to receive a proper burial. This whole ordeal is sickening really. What’s even more upsetting is that no one is told of this. Sarah Baartman seems like someone we should learn about, if not in history class, than at least black history month. Move on with MLK’s triumphs, let’s hear of Baartman’s injustices. I would recommend listening to this video, it talks a bit more about her. It also compares where black woman are today and how we have shamed Baartman’s name. Check it out.
peace.
2 comments:
That's terrible! I had heard the name Sarah Baartman (I think it was referenced on a TV show once) but I didn't know anything about her. Seriously, thanks for writing about this, and for keeping your blog going.
wow. here's proof that people sure do suck.
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