When we received the instructions on how to create and explain two playlists, I immediately chose Equiano and Benjamin Franklin because of their tireless efforts to bring about change. These are two great writers whose writing styles are very interesting and tend to bring about change in the lifestyle of ordinary people. I enjoy the unique works of Equiano throughout this semester, especially given his readiness to use his condition as a slave to educate himself.

If Equiano were alive today and owned an iPod, he would have most of his slavery messages on his iPod. As a great writer, he exemplified characteristic of captives throughout his unique writing and compelling argument for freedom. For example, his writings drew and continue to draw his readers’ attention to the issue of slavery, particularly to the sufferings of Negroes. His works typify him as an activist for social reform and as one of those who fought tirelessly to put an end to slavery. If he were alive today, one might argue that the song, “One Love” by Bob Marley would have probably been on his iPod. In this song, Bob Marley described how poor Africans were sold to white people as slaves and how they were taken away from their motherland to the “New World”.  It is no surprise that Bob says “old pirates, yes, they rob I/sold I to the merchant ships/minutes after they took I/from the bottomless pit/but my hand was made of the almighty/we forward in this generation” (ll. 1-7). As for Equiano, he briefly explained their horrific hunger situation on the ship at seas. He explained how their predators preferred to throw the remaining food in the water instead of giving it to them. He writes, “They tossed the remaining fish into the sea again, although we begged and prayed for some as well as could, but in vain and of my countrymen, being pressed by hunger “(Equiano, p. 81).  He explained how when their parents were away on the farm he and his sister were snatched away by their predators just like an eagle preying upon a chicken in the bush.  He reported that his hands were tied, and his mouth was filled with cloth to the point that he couldn’t cry out for help. Now that he had entered slavery, he could imagine and compare his future in hell fire that would burn him alive. Notwithstanding, he did attempt to find for his parents through the star and by dreaming.

Indeed, both Bob Marley and Equiano portrayed similar messages globally about the maltreatment of poor African people who were brought in America as slaves. In Equiano’s writing, he asserts, “denial of food and other basic life materials as a form of punishment and mistreatment is repeated” (Equiano 83).  In the song “One Love” Bob Marley discusses similar themes of maltreatment. For example, “emancipates your-selves from mental slavery” is constantly repeated to portray imagery of slavery in the minds of black folks.

The second song I chose for Equiano is “Slavery Day” by Burning Spear and would be on his iPod if he were alive today. This song illustrates many features in the “Equiano and slave narrative”.  It reflects our mind back to the story of “Equiano and slave narrative time” when black folks had no rights, how they were tortured and humiliated by their owners day by day. If Equiano were alive and had an iPod today, “Slavery Days” might have been on his iPod! This, especially when Spear sings “do you remember the days of slavery?” would make him retrospect on his experiences in slavery. He sings “Do you remember the days of slavery? /and how they beat us/and how they worked us so hard/and they used us/Til they refuse us/Do you remember the days of slavery/and a big fat bull/We usually pull it everywhere/We must put it/Shackles around our necks/And I can see it all no more” (ll. 2-12).  In “Equiano and slave narrative”, Equiano explained his experiences in slavery. He used allusion to make indirect reference to white men. He says “And it was almost a constant practice with our clerks, other whites, to commit violent depredations on the chastity of the female slave;  and these I was, though with reluctance, obliged to submit to at all times, being unable to help them ” (Equiano 1:205).

As a student, I believe that both of these songs would be the messages of Equiano to the human predators to end slavery since they both gave detailed descriptions of how these poor Africans were mistreated as well as humiliated. If Equiano were alive and own iPod, these songs would be amongst his favorite’s music on his iPod.

 

Next great writer that I really enjoyed was Benjamin Franklin whose enlightenment thought was unique and a true example of human accomplishment. Franklin would appreciate songs that would carry messages of freedom and human success. The first song that would show up on his playlist would be the “Determinate” by Lemonade Mouth.Franklin would digest precisely what enlightenment message would be exemplified in Lemonade Mouth’s song.  It is a very interesting song that clearly explained the struggle that led to the revolution which caused human achievements.  In this song, she sings, “Tryin hard to fight these tears/I’m crazy worried/ messin’ with my head this fear/I m so sorry/you know, you gotta get it out/can’t what bein’ friends about” (ll. 1-7). I believe that Franklin would sleep in peace to know that another person pursuing enlightenment belief of fighting for freedom. Similarly, one of my colleagues, Sofia Hafner Diaz, described him as a rational person, and also explained how Franklin wrote about his principles and morals and how it has affected his life in the future.  She quoted Franklin as follows: “I entertained an opinion that, though certain actions might not be bad because they forbidden by it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably these actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us, or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own natures, all the circumstance of things considered” (Franklin 58).  She strongly believes that Franklin would feel at home if he were alive to see all the progress humankind has achieved today. If Franklin were alive to see all these political changes, the dictators would give him chance to do more positive reforms.

 

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The second song that I think Franklin would put on his playlist for educational reason is “Imagine me” by Kirk Franklin. He would like this great song because of its simple ideas of passion and imagination. This song illustrates several characteristics of enlightenment thought as its center piece of Benjamin Franklin biography. I try to evoke Franklin ideas when she sings “Imagine me’ free, trusting you totally finally I can/imagine me/I admit it was hard to see/you being in love with someone like me/but finally I can/imagine me” (ll. 16-21). Similarly, during week eight reading, one of my classmates, Isaac Sullivan explained how Franklin always took clear positions.  He stated that great writers enjoyed arguing topics in the way that would encourage a modern youth to join a debate team. He described him as someone who tries to find pure, semantic joy in forming superior arguments.  He also explained how when Franklin was debating with his friend Collins, he took side that women should be educated as men. Isaac quoted Franklin as follows: “took the contrary side, perhaps a little for dispute safe” (Franklin 16).

Franklin introduce education as one of the elements for enlightenment and the way of giving everyone chance to be free as well as to love one another. I believe Franklin’s iPod would have these words, because the wording of the two songs discussed above would reflect Franklin’s message today. It definitely would fit the definition of characteristics of early American literature writers. If Franklin were alive, own iPod, and to see super eagles embracing these songs that carrying his message for changes, he would put it on top his song list.