Breaking Chains

By Hakim Mosegi

During my semester of learning about ancient history, what intrigued me the most during our lecture was the slave trade, including separation, assimilation and racist theories. From this, I

decided to create an image of an African American. This person would be holding a chain,

struggling to look up, as he desperately tries to break free from it. This image symbolizes the

enduring struggle of racial and economic oppression. This creative reflection explores how

historical this event was to our country. My goal was to visualize the past injustices of the

transatlantic slave trade and what Black Americans had to endure during that time.

The country’s historical exploitation of racial inequality serves as a key inspiration. As

we discussed in class, the transatlantic slave trade of the early 1800s dehumanized Africans,

portraying them as less intelligent and more animalistic. This narrative continues to justify

racism against African Americans today. These racist beliefs were intentionally created to defend

the brutal labor systems that fueled colonial wealth. However, the motivation extended beyond

mere economic gain; it aimed to reinforce a social hierarchy that positioned whiteness as

inherently superior. Such deeply rooted ideas perpetuated racial indifference, which remained

evident in segregation and Jim Crow laws even after slavery was abolished.

In one lecture, we further discussed more insight into racism during this age. One

example would be Morton and Gliddon. Both used pseudoscientific methods to support racism

and racial superiority through distorted data and prejudiced interpretations. These ‘scientists’ had spread the myth that black people were naturally weaker and dumber than white people by measuring their skulls and other physical characteristics. Their work not only influenced the shaping of that society’s attitude, but reinforced the spread of racism along with

legislation, education and cultural standards.

People depicted African Americans as hypersexualized and immoral, which was used to justify their exclusion. Such portrayals were aimed to help make an excuse that they needed to be saved by the white man by putting them to ‘work’ in order to purify their souls and give them ‘order.’ 

In developing my creative artwork, I considered the strength of Black Americans who opposed and conquered these injustices. African Americans have fought tirelessly for equality and justice to this day, and the classes I have taken in this course have helped me create this artistic project while also helping me understand the gravity of these historical injustices. By creating this work, I hoped to portray this person as representing all African Americans, fighting for their rights and breaking free from oppression, racism and suffering. By combining the historical knowledge I've learned in class, I hoped to create an art piece that resonates emotionally and intellectually with the viewer. The man in the drawing stands as a testament to the enduring fight for justice, a reminder of the weight of history and the hope for freedom.