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The exploitation story of Sara Baartman is sad and fascinating. Sara was born in South Africa and was subjugated and taken to England where she was displayed to the public. She was watched while singing, turning around or walking on the stage. During these shows, some of the viewers were allowed to use their walking sticks to poke her body CITATION Flo18 l 1033 (Florida International University). While these actions are considered immodest and hyper-sexual, the true understanding of Sara Baartman’s story represents the limitations of the values of the French revolution; equality, fraternity and liberty.
The French revolution in Europe offered an environment of optimism that was rational and orderly. From the story of Sara, this is not the case. She depicts a race that is subjugated, abused and objectified. Baartman and other Africans were likened to apes. Their anatomy was connected to cannibalism, and their body was objectified which resulted in her being displayed for public entertainment. Sara was ambitious upon arrival in London little did she know she was an object that represented colonial benefits which included economic gains by her masters. She was exhibited and even after her demise, her body was dissected and her organs harvested and displayed in preserved jars. Sara’s physique was of interest to imperialists who had hidden intentions. Major among them was to provide evidence to the masses regarding the superiority of the whites against Africans who were considered illiterate.

The imperialists established a basis of caging Africans, transporting and displaying them as objects that enhanced their imperialistic ideas. Colonialism led to the mistreatment of African women as evidenced in the experience of Sara Baartman. As a result, the values of equality, liberty and fraternity for Africans remained a tall order. Nonetheless, even in her rest, she provides insights on the harsh treatment Africans had to endure. Her story can be used as a tool to eliminate the elements that suppress human existence and freedom.
Works Cited
BIBLIOGRAPHY Florida International University. The Life and Times of Sara Baartman. n.d. 12 May 2018.