The satire of global capitalism
One of the key features that characterized global capitalism was the transatlantic trade by captains, ship owners, and slave buyers. The reader finds it satirical that the lead capitalists relied on cheap labor to achieve their industrial goals. Capitalism is about endangering human life, but the white Europeans and other western countries violated basic human rights by subjecting slaves to hard labor and suffering.
The Irony of African Tribal Leaders
Tribal leaders were the people tasked with protecting their communities against any danger that befell them. Ironically, the African tribal leaders took bribes from the slave merchants and sold their people for slavery in western countries.
The satire of the white Europeans
The white Europeans are the people who bought slaves from the merchants and used them as sources of cheap labor. The slave owners did not treat them as human beings but as working machines to get value for their investments. As a result, slaves ended up suffering and toiling without any pay. Additionally, the slaves were subjected to misery and poor living conditions, which greatly endangered their health.
The irony of the sailors
The sailors are the people who transported slaves from the African coasts to western countries. The reader finds it satirical that sailors joined hands with the abolitionist to condemn slavery. The reader later learns that the sailors were not spared from the harsh conditions that the slaves were subjected to during transportation. Therefore, the contribution of sailors in the campaign against slavery played a critical role in ensuring that slavery was brought to an end.
The hierarchy of the slave ships
When the term "slave suffering" is mentioned, the reader's first impression is that the Africans being ferried suffered. Ironically, the power-wielding captains subjected their fellow white sailors to terrible conditions. Therefore, the reader is surprised to learn that during the slave trade, the white sailors also were subjected to similar conditions.
