Chapter 12/13

Chapter 12/13 tells the story of Equiano’s (Gustavus Vasa) famous and influential book tour. He gets the chance to publish his autobiography that was over 530 pages and eventually 8 editions. It was in Equiano’s nature to be an entrepreneur and his intentions were always to push the abolitionists’ movement- but to also make a little profit while doing so. The timing of the release was perfect, him and his “white wife” toured Europe and gained support of eventually millions. Back then even the most famous people read it, and more people today continue to read it. The “Interesting Narrative” was a powerful argument and also proved that Africans were not barbaric and illiterate; also, people liked to read of his action adventure. “Each year more people read it than did so during his entire lifetime”, which is truly amazing.

The boycotts began, people all over the world stopped using sugar produced by slavery. Those companies that advertised “fair trade” were used instead. Indeed sugar was essential for much of daily activity; the movement was strong enough to convince people otherwise. At the time very few had the right to vote, so this boycott was a way for the citizens to show some political efficacy and persuade Parliament. Clarkson published more articles; the “Abstract” was a research report that told all his findings. And for the first time, he never made reference to the Bible.