I have always believed slavery was wrong, but I have never been able to capture how heartwrenching it could really be. Finishing Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper enabled me to walk in a slave's shoes for the first time. I barely got through the third chapter when I had to close the book, place it beside my bed, and just...cry. Draper used such vivid descriptions, that I felt like I was there.
Amari is a beautiful, young, black woman who lives in Zaivi, Africa. When white men come to her village, the elders welcome them with open arms. In return for their unconditional hospitality, all of the villagers are brutally murdered except for the strongest men and prettiest women. Heartbroken, Amari travels by boat, like an animal, to the colonies.
I could taste the freedom Amari so much desired. I could smell the fear she felt when she was called to her Master's bedroom at night. I could feel the hope that burned inside, just below her hard outer shell. Amari learned to never ever give up. Not on faith. Not on hope. Not on love. And most importantly, not on freedom. I am so appreciative of freedom. The freedom to just...live.
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