Dear Editor:

Francis Bok inspires millions and revealed the story of slavery as a former Dinka Sudan slave in the novel, In Escape From Slavery. Bok’s story helped me comprehend the innocence of children, and how they can be physically and mentally abused by the mistakes of their parents or other adults.

There is a part in the book where Bok goes to a remedial school in America filled with drop out high school kids. Yet and all of them chant in mockery towards Bok for not knowing how to read or solve math equations as well as them.

His teacher, Mr. Martyn, suggests Bok tells he was a former slave and had no real education. Bok proclaims one day they will see him come up as an important person without people’s sympathy. It demonstrates, the accomplishments and talents we ourselves carry inside of us and how they can glow and show on the outside.

Also when Bok went to get his passport to come to the U.S., the agency misspelled his name. He was notified that he could change it back later. However, even today on the cover of his novel and other documents, it remains as Francis Bok.

I would like to know why he decided to keep his misspelled name. Maybe, it was to open the door of a new identity, or another chance to start a new life and leave his slave name behind.

Our sophomore Honors English class was intrigued by Bok’s journey as we studied his novel. The discussions we shared together impacted all of us. The class wrote letters to Bok thanking him for sharing his story. Everyone in the class hopes he would respond back with a letter or a visit to our class. His presence will be marveled.

In the YouTube video posted below, George Sloan from OpenUp Pictures produced and directed Francis Bok’s his story. For more information or to learn more, check out Abolish: The American Anti-Slavery Group.

Francis Bok, a Sudanese Dinka, escaped from slavery in his home country and is now living in the United States and working with the AASG to abolish modern-day slavery worldwide.