ePub Silent Terror: A Journey into Contemporary African Slavery by Samuel Cotton in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Reading for Students of AfricaBy A Customer...an excellent book that begins to examine the very complex nature of politics and people on the diverse continent of Africa. I applaude the author's courage at bringing the issue to the attention of our government and hope that he continues his work. Mr. Cotton's book should be required reading for students of African as it will give them a beginner's view of what this wonderful; but yet frustrated; part of the world has to offer.I would have given this work 3 stars but for the author's balanced treatment of the well researched issues inside Mauritania. I thought his work; and this book; lessened by Mr. Cotton's efforts to readdress the issue of slavery from within the contexts and expectations of what he wanted Africa to be. Likewise; it has been my experience that the notion of African brotherhood simply doesn't exist here in the manner that some stateside pundits wish it to be. Although African American leaders will espouse this rhetoric for their own political ends; the truth is; I've never really seen it.Lastly; my family and I have lived in Africa for nearly two decades now and I believe that the author would do well to spend some more time looking in other corners and countries. My wife and I have traveled extensively across this continent and I hope that Mr. Cotton continues his work of exposing social inequities in Africa. There are a whole lot more stories out here Mr. Cotton but I don't know that you'll like what you see. Many of them are worse than those you've described in your book...are you ready to see it from their eyes?21 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Worthy cause; aggravating expositionBy hugh rimintonSamuel Cotton's account of his own awakening to the issues of slavery in Africa falls into four sections.1/ The commissioning of a journalistic article; which leads him to examine available documentary evidence about slavery in Mauritania;2/ A trip to see for himself;3/ His return to the US; where he delivered evidence to a US Congressional sub-committee.4/ A call to arms.An African-American; his commitment is plainly sincere ("I had found my history. I had found my future. I had found myself.") He has achievements to show for it - his own anti-slavery organisation "CASMAS"; and success in changing official US policy through a Congressional resolution based on evidence gained from his field trip.In giving voice to the people that he met in bondage in Mauritania and Senegal; he has borne witness to lives that need and deserve all the help they can get.He also accurately identifies the failure of so many Muslims of otherwise good standing to put pressure on regimes that nod and wink at the practices of slavery. Sudan is an appalling offender through its sponsorship of slave-raiding militias that attack the black; Christian South.But it is Sam Cotton's very emotiveness - understandable as it might be - that weakens his argument. He is guilty of extreme sloppiness. At one point he accuses the US Ambassador to Mauritania; among others; of having their silence "bought" by "plenty of envelopes passing under the table" from the Islamic government. This is a scandalous charge; which if proven would have the Ambassador doing time in jail; but Cotton offers no evidence whatsoever to support it. It is purely an expression of his frustration.And while he resolutely stands by his evidence that Arabs still persist with chattel slavery in Mauritania; he quickly dismisses evidence that black Africans also keep black African slaves. "It is a thing of the past...a charge that does not stand up to inspection;" he insists; refusing to apply the same tests (are they paid? are their children educated?) that he applies to the "slaves" of Arabs.On the material Cotton (and others before him) have gathered; Mauritania certainly has a case to answer that slavery still exists. Furthermore; it should be required to answer it; and the world should not tolerate any fudging.Cotton has added something to the fund of knowledge; and deserves acknowledgment for that. But his writing is too cliche-ridden; too unexamined; too hasty in seeing what it wants to see. And Cotton; inexperienced in African conditions; also overlooks another reality of life on that continent. People do what they must to survive. Millions work in terrible conditions for no cash return. Millions of their children go without food; let alone education. I little doubt slavery exists in Mauritania. I have seen it myself; and written about it; in Sudan. Beating it; however; requires a discipline of approach that is not enough in evidence in this otherwise worthy account.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Eye Opening and Emotionally Entrancing ReadBy David HudsonSam Cotton takes his readers into an ancient system of (African) slavery perfected over the centuries an instituted beneath the nose of the modern world. Under the guise of "brotherhood" and "Islam" a piece of the North/West African slave trade is revealed between pages of this book. Cotton began with a journalism assignment writing an article about the situation which led to a life altering journey to the countries of Senegal and Mauritania where he witnessed this subtle system of slavery first hand. "Silent Terror" was a fairly easy read; finished in less than a week's time. Highly recommended especially for history students and Africans throughout the world. The Trans-Atlantic Slave trade wasn't the only horrendous instance of chattel slavery we endured. If this book interests you I also recommend Chancellor Williams' "The Destruction Of Black Civilization" for a more in depth analysis of the Arabization of Africa.