As an African-American male in today’s society, I’m able to relate to various aspects of Dr. Matthew’s book, “Disappeared,” which shares the story of a civilization that contributed a plethora of knowledge, culture, values, and human decency to our history, yet, were forgotten and never acknowledged. Dr. Matthew shares a people’s untold, accurate tale regarding their inhumane struggles working in a Caribbean village and not being treated and valued as decent human beings (Matthew 2). Furthermore, past experiences from the Elders of the town to today’s modern, capitalist society will be explored and compared to the metamorphosis of our humanitarian world. Dr. Matthew’s profound work triggers readers with different opinions regarding the story.
A person who once lived in a small Caribbean village vanished without a historical trace of humankind. Such a society of villages probably existed at one time. The people who lived in these villages were not technologically advanced and eventually died out due to disease or other factors (Matthew 112). There might be chances that the villages were abandoned for some reason and that the people who lived there finally dispersed and assimilated into different cultures. Nonetheless, it is fascinating to think about a group of people who once lived in such proximity to each other and then vanished without a trace. We may never know what happened to them or their lives.
The people successfully shaped or constructed an ideal living place due to their strong community ties. The community was close-knit, and everyone looked out for one another. These individuals could be regarded as living in a Utopia society, considering they shared their own vision (Matthew 25). In essence, they worked together to create a thriving village that was a safe and welcoming place to live. Moreover, there was a sense of pride in being part of the community, and everyone worked together to make it a success. This helped to create a supportive and nurturing environment where people could thrive.
People in the village were motivated by their love for their families and their desire to have a good life. Dr. Martin argues that the villagers may have been inspired by the work of French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote about the idea of the “noble savage,” a person who is uncorrupted by civilization and lives in harmony with nature (Matthew 5). The village of Sarafina may have been an attempt to create a utopia where people could live in peace and harmony with each other and the natural world. Remarkably, people were passionate about such a society since they were looking for a place free from the Spanish’s influence. Clearly, the people in the utopia society were very committed to their goals and willing to work hard to achieve them.
Various communities benefit humanity, similar to the society presented by Dr. Matthew. One example is the Amish community, a group of people who live simple lives without many modern technologies (Matthew 14). The Amish community is known for its hard work, simple living, and close family ties. Another example is the Hutterite community, a religious group that lives a simple lifestyle without many modern technologies. The Hutterites are known for their communal way of living and their self-sufficient farms.
Overall, the book “Disappeared” is a fascinating and disturbing look at how a small group of people can vanish without a trace. The author does an excellent job of piecing together the events that led to the disappearance of the village of Puerto Morada and its people. While the book is somewhat speculative, it is well-researched and provides a plausible explanation for what happened to the village and its people. It is a fascinating story and a reminder of the fragility of human existence.
Reference
Matthew M. (2019). Disappeared. Indy Pub.