For those whose lives were
enveloped by the Atlantic World, identity came from many sources. Ira Berlin, who authored From Creole to African: Atlantic Creoles and the Origins of
African-American Society in Mainland North America, does an excellent job
of summing up just this type of culture.
In this writing, Berlin describes the origins of black Americans, or
more particularly Atlantic creoles. In
Berlin’s view, Atlantic creoles did not possess any single definitive
characteristic that would mark nationality or origin. “Instead, by their experiences and sometimes
by their persons, they had become part of the three worlds that came together
along the Atlantic… Familiar with the commerce of the Atlantic, fluent in its
new languages, and intimate with its trade and cultures, they were cosmopolitan
in the fullest sense” (Berlin, 254).
Though Berlin was directly assessing the Atlantic creole, the same
analysis can be successfully utilized to understand people of many origins that
were involved in the Atlantic World.
Samuel
Cohen was a Jewish translator and miner that worked for the Dutch West India
Company in the Atlantic. Like many
others of this period, there is very little else known about Mr. Cohen outside
of his connection with the company and its business related activities. His last name “would have made his ethnic
affiliation obvious to the Christian Europeans who dominated the public
institutions of” the Atlantic World (Meuwese, 28). Though there is not evidence that Cohen was a
particularly religious man, he was proved understanding of the European culture
in which he was enmeshed and was capable of moving throughout it
comfortably. “His ability to live his
life between different cultures while belonging fully to neither one of them
suggests not only that it was Cohen’s personality that made him a successful
translator but also that it was the essential nature of his life as an
assimilated European Jew that habituated him to the practice” of surviving in
the Atlantic World (Meuwese, 28).
Though
not of dark complexion, Cohen faced many obstacles resulting from his Jewish
background. Like many in the Atlantic
World as described by Berlin, Cohen was able to utilize his skills as a
translator and miner to make himself a valuable employee of the Dutch West
India Company. Throughout his time in
the Atlantic World, Cohen moved about not necessarily belonging to any single class
or nation, instead being a member of the culture that was the Atlantic
World.
This was an excellent essay. You do a good job of proving that Jewish translator and miner Samuel Cohen met Berlin's definition of linguistic fluency and familiarity with Atlantic culture, commerce and trade, and I agree that Berlin's definition applies to those of non-African extraction. Isn't it amazing how much the experience of the 18th century Atlantic World resembles that of the 21s century Global Economy? I keep wondering if the skills we really need are those of successful "Atlantic creoles" such as Cohen, or whether this particular burst of globalization will end in a second Age of Revolution - which is how the Atlantic Age ended - and we'd be better off studying farming than history.
ReplyDeleteSamuel Cohen is an interesting choice for this assignment. Your analysis definitely shows a man between worlds, and your description of Creole society being a blending of worlds was very interesting. Cohen’s personality was clearly a benefit to him as he learned to adapt to his surroundings. My one disappointment is that you did not spend as much time focusing on what culture Cohen himself blended into. It is one thing to bounce between cultures; it is another thing entirely to adopt these things and adapt a culture of your own. It would have been much more interesting to find out how Cohen’s own personal culture developed as a result of his experiences.
ReplyDeleteCohen seems to fit Berlin's definition of blending of cultures very well. Even though it does not seem as if Cohen was enmeshed in his own Jewish religion, could it be that he was one who secretly practiced his Judaism for fear of repurcussions? He was not openly religious which would prove difficult for someone during this time period.
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