Brenda Stevenson, author of "Life in Black and White," explains that the enslaved people entered the trade through numerous avenues, and were physically, psychologically and sexually abused, starved and dehydrated even before they embarked on the journey to the "New World."
Slaves, regardless of their outward situation, were subjected to sexual assault without any legal protections. This issue goes back to the beginning of recorded history and still affects people today.
The experiences of enslaved people in the Americas cannot be generalized, as there are differences between those who were born in Africa and had to make the trip across the Atlantic as opposed to those born in the Americas. Brenda Stevenson discusses the horrific experiences these people go through before they even reach the ships to take them across the Atlantic to the Americas.
Enslaved Africans endured brutal journeys from inland to coastal areas, and subsequently across the Atlantic in wooden ships. They were often sold and resold along the way, marched in chains, and subjected to physical, psychological, sexual, and dehydration-related abuse.
Millions of Africans spent months imprisoned in slave ships before even making it to the Americas. The devastating conditions on board, including lack of sanitation and personal space, contributed to countless deaths during the horrific transatlantic crossings.