Francis Bok, a 26-year-old Sudan native, spoke about the 10 years he spent as a Dinka slave in Sudan and his goal to end slavery Monday at the Wisconsin Union Theater.
'Twenty-seven million people are still in slavery worldwide, and it's important for students to take a stance,' Bok said. 'I want them to become abolitionists'??to realize this is something they can defeat together.'
Sarah Hutchinson, a UW-Madison anthropology professor, introduced Bok and gave background information about Sudan.
In 1983, conflict arose between Southern and Northern Sudan over racial, religious and economic issues. Three years later, Bok was sent by his mother to sell milk in town when he was captured by militiamen.
Bok described the scene from that day as seeming unreal.
'We watched a movie ?? watching them shooting the men, collecting the things they need to steal with them,' Bok said.
Bok and other captured children marched northward. There he met his slave-owner and was immediately tortured and threatened. Bok lived with animals, was warned to never ask questions and worked long days among goats and cattle. He was told not to return from work unless he had completed the daily tasks, or else he would be killed.
'I listened to him because I wanted to protect myself,' Bok said.
When Bok was 14, he attempted two escapes, only two days apart.
'I don't care what's going to happen and I run and I didn't know where I was going,' Bok said. He was beaten and dragged a mile by a horse for his misbehavior, leaving him incapable of walking for days. His owner threatened him, saying, 'If you try to escape again, I will shoot you.'
Bok waited three years before trying to escape again. 'I made my final attempt and I was lucky enough,' Bok said. He met a truck driver who offered to take him in, making sure Bok was treated like family. Bok eventually took a boat to Cairo, Egypt and came to North Dakota in 1999, where he lived in refugee camps.
'All I know is America and New York. New York is very easy to say,' said Bok, who knew no English upon coming to the United States.
Bok lived in Iowa for a few months before moving to Boston and becoming an associate at the American Anti-Slavery Group.
In 2003, Bok published a book based on his life entitled 'Escape From Slavery,' according to iAbolish.org. Bok speaks nationally, sharing his story and trying to bring an end to slavery all over the world.
