Liberian Dreams: Back-To-Africa Narratives from the 1850s

Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting Historical Opinions
Review: This book reflects on the relocation of slaves back to Africa and their resettlement in Liberia. The narratives are all by slaves, some expressing their content and others their discontent. As a Liberian, it was funny to find one of the major complaints was lack of bread, only rice and cassada (cassava as spelled in this writing), our favorite staple foods. Other aspects of life complained about were (which we consider parts of everyday life) : driver ants, palm oil, jiggers, and yes a freed slave in 1853 complains about a skin disease called craw-craw.

The two most interesting points in this book for me: One content slave pointed out that he left America because he knew in his heart there had to be somewhere on this earth where the black man could be free. Another discontent slave, who hustled his way back to America, said he would rather be a slave in America than live in Liberia without any hope.
In life there are leaders and followers, some saw an opportunity for a new beginning and others saw too much work ahead of them when leaving a country where everything was already established. Regardless of who we identify with, I am grateful to have come upon this work which provided me some insight into the history of my country.