Negroes For Sale

Liverpool, England, June 12, 1790.

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon

And the gangly witty Whiteman was with his goods

In the centre of Liverpool town centre

Shouting in a high-pitched voice common with street traders

“Negroes for sale. Prime healthy Negroes from West Africa for sale”

“Good niggers from Senegambia. Fresh from the jungle”

“Sixty pence for males and thirty pence for the females”

A lady approaches and seeing the old white lady

He collected his Negroes and made towards her

As would a trader his wares and said to the old white lady

“Madam put a smile on that face for I have a strong Negro for you”

“Oh! Hell no!” She replied in pure contempt

“He is ugly and must be of Mandingo tribe of West Africa”, she added

“But madam he is very strong and works like a machine”

“He can work from daybreak till dawn on just one ration of hot soup”

“Just take a thorough look at him. Very healthy, strong bones and very fat”

“An evidence of good diet and sound mind in a healthy body”

“You talk too much, how much is it”, the old white lady interrupted

“Before you make a slave of me too”, she added

“Just sixty pence madam”

“Sixty what! Are you selling the entire Africa!” she protested

“I will only pay thirty pence because he is very ugly and scary like a gorilla”

“Look at his big fat dick. Oh God! Are those not varicose veins on them?”

“Oh no! I have got three young granddaughters at home”

“Okay madam can you pay forty pence last”

“Forty!” shouted the old white lady

“Ok, I will give you thirty-five last”, she quickly added

“Look he does not even laugh or smile. Thirty five last or I will walk away”

“Ok, give me your money. Ten, twenty, thirty and five”

“Thank you madam. It is nice doing business with you”

“Thank you”, replied the old white lady

And she walked away with her good.

Chukwunwikezarramu Okumephuna

June 12, 2009