Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race and Being and Twelve Years of Slave - Essay Example

Copeland suggests that the enslaved black Africans of olden times have been tortured and exploited in many ways. Additionally, the movie talks about the life of an enslaved educated Black man called Northup who later in life turned to abolish slavery in Louisiana.

It is a fact that many Black people have been killed and many have fought back against discrimination and sexual exploitation these were the martyrs who should be remembered according to Copeland. In the author’s eye, solidarity and unity is still big issue for black people as they are mostly struggling to gain respect and acceptance within the white community. The book and film both tell us that, if one looks at history, many black people had taken the courage to fight for their rights, and their effort should be taken as guidance by our community. Black people are as valuable as white people from a religious perspective. In her book (Copeland,2010, pg.113) “Copeland’s theological anthropology assiduously reveals a carefully developed understanding of historic black bodies about the body of Christ”

The author in her book recommends that the history of martyrs should lead the people to fight for solidarity and peace among each other. In the same way, the movie “Twelve Years of Slave” is a powerful one that communicates to the audience the life of a black slave. The movie is based on the book written by Solomon Northup where the experience of him as a slave is recounted. He was an educated man and stood firm against the racial bias of white men in those times. This man can be taken as a role model as he was an educated and free man till his adult times but later turned into a freedom fighter for the slave community in Louisiana. His life was unusual as he was a black person who got kidnapped and sold into slavery where he spent twelve long years in pain.

Northup can be seen as a martyr as explained by Copeland and should be followed by the new generation to find peace and solidarity in their community. Northup's story tells that he has endured working for the abolishment of slavery as he was an educated family man who later had to experience slavery due to the ruthlessness of the white race. So it can be said that factually, Copeland is referring to persons like Northup who left the fear of racism and as an educated family man sacrificed his life for the betterment of the enslaved black community in North America. It is an irony that today people from the black community are still struggling to gain equality, acceptance, and recognition amidst the white race. To earn acceptance, one should gather courage and then one must work against discrimination against people. Copeland thinks that the current black generation needs to accept the ideals of martyrs and should make them role models to bring solidarity and peace among people in their community. Read More