The crew was sleeping in the cabins. We could move about one area of the ship since there were very few places to sit. With the crew scurrying about, we felt in the way. It would have been nice to preview the exhibit, the traveling classroom. Later that night, on the 11 o'clock news, I saw one of the crew members explaining to a group of Harlem children how slaves were packed like sardines in the belly of slave ships, how they were whipped.
Kids deserve the truth.
While in Africa, captives were herded to coastal barracoons, or holding pens, stripped of their clothes to prevent disease and inspected by doctors to ensure the best slaves for the best price. They were shackled about their feet, hands and necks. Troublesome slaves were fitted with extra chains and irons if they weren't killed as an example to the others. Women were sexually abused. Everyone was whipped.