My Music, My Freedom: Mi Música, Mi Libertad
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About this ebook
This is the extraordinary story of Joseph Antonio Emidy, an early 19th-century musician who was kidnapped from his home in Guinea, Africa and sold into slavery.
A very unusual fate awaited Joseph; he was taken to Brazil, then Portugal, where his "master" discovered his outstanding musical talent and encouraged its development. But the story doesn't end there; Joseph's life would take some unexpected twists and turns before he eventually achieved his freedom.
The book is written in English and translated into Spanish, with a "mini-dictionary" of key words between the two versions of each chapter to facilitate reading and learning.
Ideal for both English and Spanish learners who want to expand their vocabulary and enjoy a fascinating true story at the same time.
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My Music, My Freedom - Bernadette Jameson
Preface
This is the extraordinary story of Joseph Antonio Emidy, an early 19th-century musician who was kidnapped from his home in Guinea, Africa and sold into slavery in Brazil. Exactly what he endured in Brazil is not clear, but from there he was taken to Portugal by his master.
For many young black children, slavery took the form of being someone's personal servant. It was the strange fashion at the time in Portugal to dress these children up to the nines and bring them to the opera. Implings
was the term given to these children. Joseph may have had to endure one of these fates at first – but soon enough, his master spotted his outstanding musical ability and nurtured his talent. Joseph was so impressive that even at a young age he was admitted as one of the second violins in the orchestra of the opera at Lisbon.
Unfortunately, his playing caught the ear of Captain Pellew of a British frigate, The Indefatigable, which had docked in Lisbon for repairs. He was press-ganged by crew members and once again found himself in captivity – this time being forced to play jigs and reels to amuse the crew – for four years.
Although he was paid a small fee, Joseph was not even permitted to disembark when the ship arrived in port during that time. He endured horrendous conditions at sea including battles and skirmishes between the British and French. Eventually, Captain Pellew took pity on him and he was given his freedom and was turned ashore in Falmouth in 1799. He got work as a music teacher and began to rebuild his musical career by getting involved with the music scene in Cornwall. He composed orchestral and chamber music and gave many recitals, and was much admired by all who came in contact with him. He married an English girl and they had six children.
Sadly, none of his compositions have survived. Joseph befriended James Silk Buckingham, who was so moved by his story that he became a strong outspoken voice against slavery. Mr Buckingham is now known as the father of modern Indian journalism
– he set up a newspaper in India in which he reported on the reality of conditions for slaves there. This didn't go down well and he was deported back to Britain, but it demonstrates how the ripple effect from Joseph's story had already made an impact even then. Although Joseph's personal musical compositions were lost over the centuries, he has left a lasting impression. The people of Cornwall, in recognition of the greatness that had walked amongst them, celebrate his memory to this day.
In many ways Joseph was fortunate in the people he met along the way – good people who helped him eventually achieve his potential. Unfortunately, slavery is still with us today. The rise in human trafficking means more people than ever before are slaves – sadly and appallingly, many of them are children. Just like Joseph did, they need someone to stand up for them, someone to be their voice in an uncaring world. Joseph Emidy's story is an inspiration not just because of his tremendous talent and unconquerable spirit, but also in light of those who were prepared to take a stand for him. I want to continue that solidarity with those whom society has forgotten. In sweatshops, kilns and plantations there are children who are starving and exhausted – who would like nothing better than an ordinary life. One that nourishes them, brings out the best in them, gives them a reason to dance and sing.
This story then, is dedicated to the victims of slavery, past and present.
Key words - Palabras clave
kidnapped : secuestrado
slavery : esclavitud
endure : aguantar, soportar
fate : destino
to spot : descubrir, reconocer
outstanding : destacado, excepcional
to nurture : fomentar
impressive : impresionante
frigate : fragata
to be press-ganged : estar forzado
in captivity : en cautividad
disembark : desembarcar
skirmish : escaramuza
ashore : a tierra
befriend : hacerse amigo de
outspoken : franco
set up : establecer
This didn't go down well : eso no fue bien recibido
ripple : onda
lasting : duradero, que dura
appallingly : espantosamente, terriblemente
to stand up for someone : defender a alguien
to take a stand against : tomar una postura contra
solidarity : solidaridad
sweatshops : fábrica donde se explota a los trabajadores
kiln : horno (de cerámica)
starving : hambriento, famélico
exhausted : agotado
to nourish : alimentar, nutrir
Prefacio
Esta es la extraordinaria historia de Joseph Antonio Emidy, un músico de principios del siglo 19 que fue secuestrado de su casa en Guinea, Africa y vendido como esclavo en Brasil. Lo que él vivió en Brasil no está exactamente claro, pero desde allí fue llevado a Portugal por su dueño
. Para muchos niños negros la esclavitud tomó la forma de ser el sirviente personal de alguien. Fue una moda extraña de la época en Portugal, vestir a esos niños muy bien y llevarles a la ópera. Implings
fue el término dado a esos niños. Joseph pudo haber tenido que aguantar ese destino al principio, pero al cabo de poco tiempo, su dueño descubrió su habilidad musical sobresaliente y fomentó su talento. Joseph fue tan impresionante que incluso a una edad muy joven, fue admitido como uno de los segundos violines en la orquesta de la ópera en Lisboa.
Desafortunadamente, su estilo atrajo al capitán Pellew, de una fragata británica, The Indefatigable, que había parado en Lisboa para unas reparaciones. Fue forzado por los miembros de la tripulación y de nuevo se encontró en cautividad, esta vez obligado a tocar jigas y reels
para animar a la tripulación durante cuatro años.
Aunque le pagaron un pequeño sueldo, no permitieron a Joseph desembarcar cuando el barco llegaba a los puertos durante aquel tiempo. Aguantó condiciones horrorosas en el mar, incluyendo batallas y escaramuzas entre los británicos y los franceses. Finalmente el capitán Pellew se apiadó de él y le dio su libertad, dejándole en Falmouth en 1799. Encontró trabajo como profesor de música y empezó a reconstruir su profesión musical, involucrándose en el ámbito de la música en Cornwall. Compuso música de orquesta y cámara y dio muchos recitales, siendo muy admirado por todos los que se cruzaban en su camino. Se casó con una joven inglesa y tuvieron seis hijos.
Desafortunadamente, ninguna de sus composiciones sobrevivió. Joseph se hizo amigo de James Silk Buckingham, que fue tan afectado por su historia que se convirtió en una voz fuerte contra la esclavitud. El Sr. Buckingham es conocido ahora como el padre del periodismo moderno en la India
. Estableció un periódico en la India, en el cual hizo reportajes sobre la realidad de las condiciones de los esclavos allí. Eso no fue muy bien acogido y fue deportado de nuevo a Gran Bretaña, pero esto demuestra cómo el efecto de onda de la historia de Joseph ya le había causado un impacto. Aunque las composiciones personales de Joseph fueron perdidas tras siglos, ha dejado una impresión que dura. La gente de Cornwall, en reconocimiento de la grandeza que anduvo entre ellos, celebra hasta hoy, su memoria.
De muchas maneras Joseph fue afortunado con las personas que encontró en su camino: buena gente que le ayudó finalmente a conseguir su potencial. Lastimosamente la esclavitud está todavía con nosotros hoy. El aumento en el tráfico humano significa que ahora hay más esclavos que nunca, triste y espantosamente, muchos de ellos niños. Ellos necesitan a alguien que les defienda, exactamente como Joseph lo necesitaba: alguien para ser su voz en un mundo indiferente. La historia de Joseph Emidy es una inspiración no solo por su tremendo talento y espíritu invencible, sino también por los que estaban preparados para defenderle. En fábricas, hornos y plantaciones, hay niños que están famélicos y agotados, que querrían nada más que una vida ordinaria. Una vida que les llene, que les saque fuera lo mejor de ellos, que les dé un motivo para cantar y bailar.
Esta historia, entonces, está dedicada a las víctimas de la esclavitud, del pasado y del presente.
CHAPTER 1
LONDON 1820
I am an excellent musician: that, they admitted.
Never heard anyone play like me, they said.
Plays the violin like a genius, they said.
Yes – his compositions are very enjoyable, they added.
His work is fresh and new, they added.
But his colour is against him, they stated.
Wouldn’t work out for him in London, they stated.
James, you were ashamed to tell me what they said.
You tried to make them see, – but they could not.
There is something about these London streets, these dark alleys, crying out for music to bring heart and hope to the people. Desolate places where the purpose of the life of a working man or woman is to serve the greedy merchants and industrialists who only care for profit. I hope they survive. I know what they are going through – I have been enslaved – but I am free, in a sense. For the freedom I have finally been given, I am grateful. But prejudice still hangs over this city, as blinding and suffocating as the smog.
I know there is hope for the future, for those who come after me. And I know I have come a long way from that little boy who was kidnapped from his West African home and sold into slavery. Yes, so much has happened; sometimes I find it hard to believe that all this happened to me. They call me Joseph Emidy. I am an African musician who came to Cornwall after an incredible journey. This is my story.
Key words - Palabras clave 1
work out : salir bien, funcionar
ashamed : avergonzado
alley : callejón, callejuela
greedy : codicioso
profit : beneficio
enslaved : esclavizado
blinding : cegador
suffocating : asfixiante
smog : niebla mezclada con humo
CAPÍTULO 1
LONDRES 1820
Soy un músico excelente: eso, lo admitieron.
Nunca escucharon a nadie tocar el violín como yo, dijeron.
Toca el violín como un genio, dijeron.
Sí, sus composiciones son muy divertidas, añadieron.
Su trabajo es fresco y nuevo, añadieron.
Pero su color está contra él, declararon.
No resultaría bien para él en Londres, declararon.
James, tenías vergüenza de contarme lo que dijeron.
Intentaste hacerles entender, pero no podían.
Hay algo en estas calles Londinenses, estos callejones oscuros, pidiendo a gritos música para llevar coraje y esperanza a la gente. Lugares desolados donde el objetivo de la vida de un trabajador, sea hombre o mujer, es servir a los mercantes codiciosos y empresarios que piensan solo en beneficios. Espero que sobrevivan. Entiendo por lo que pasan, he sido esclavizado, pero soy libre, en un sentido. Estoy agradecido por la libertad que por fin me han dado. Pero el prejuicio todavía cuelga encima de la ciudad, tan cegador y asfixiante como la polución.
Sé que hay esperanza para el futuro, para aquellos que vienen después de mí.
Y reconozco que he llegado muy lejos, desde ese niño pequeño que fue secuestrado de su casa en el oeste de Africa y vendido como esclavo. Sí, tanto ha sucedido; a veces encuentro difícil creer que todo esto me haya pasado a mí. Me llaman Joseph Emidy. Soy un músico Africano que vino a Cornwall después de un viaje increíble. Esta es mi historia.
CHAPTER 2
KIDNAPPED FROM GUINEA, 1790
I will never forget the rocking, rolling motion of the ship. Strange people, smells and loud voices mingle in wave after wave of nausea and fear.
Torn from my family, I feel grief and loss engulf me like physical pain. Why did they do this to me? I have never done any harm to them. I don’t even know who these people are. I don’t know where I am going. Questions crowd my head that I cannot answer – will I ever see my mother and father again? I miss them so; the last time I saw my mother she was