Unit II - Blog II/Emerging Genres of Literature of Slavery & Bondage
During this Unit, we've encountered poets, a fiction writer/playwright, a non-fiction author/researcher as well as ministers both men and women; however, we've also delineated a white man who seems to contradict the very views of these authors. Despite that, the black writers manage to write in the collective "we" voice. How is that possible? And, these individuals seem to advocate for not just an end to slavery, or retribution for its acts, but a dedication to constructive social change. Which author do you feel that we've read during this unit stands out to you as best advocating for this constructive social change towards racial equality?
Due, Fri., 10/19/18 by the beginning of class.
I believe that David Walker was the most prominent figure in advocating for a constructive social change towards racial equality. I simply enjoyed the fact that he was a North Carolina native, as well as his ability to speak out at such a critical time. Walker served as a catalyst in the African American community by changing the tone of the Abolition Movement. Walker, unlike those before him did not advocate for gradual emancipation, but instead immediate emancipation. Lastly, Walker's "Appeal" written in 1829 was a work unlike any other of his time and his words to me spoke volumes. His ability to juxtapose the Deceleration of Independence and the bible to me was very monumental for a black man of his time. In his pamphlet I loved the way he called Thomas Jefferson out on every little detail, but not only him but also black people as a whole to do something about the way that they were living. I personally believe that if there were no David Walker there may have never been a Henry H. Garnett or possibly even a Nat Turner.
ReplyDeleteDavid Walker, 1785-1830. Walker's Appeal, in Four Articles; Together with a Preamble, to the Coloured Citizens of the World, but in Particular, and Very Expressly, to Those of the United States of America, Written in Boston, State of Massachusetts, September 28, 1829., docsouth.unc.edu/nc/walker/walker.html.
Howard, Alan B. Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia: Ch. 14, xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/jefferson/ch14.html.
David Walker's appeal also stood out to me in many ways. Being the time period when it was written he had a lot of courage to write such a thing, especially knowing the environment he was in and the main audience that would be reading, it was something very powerful.
DeleteOut of all the authors we've discussed during this unit, Henry Highland Garnet is probably the most influential social reformer in my opinion. During his time period it was frowned upon to speak negatively about the slave industry, especially in such an unforgiving fashion that deemed to shift the minds of people away from the set standards that slavery placed on society. Garnet wasn't afraid to advocate for freedom which he felt that every man and woman rightfully deserved. His experience of encountering slavery and racism at a young age along with the influence from his grandfather, who was a mandingo chief centered around excelling his people, and other abolitionists allowed him to realize how unjust slavery truly was. In his "Address to US Slaves" speech, Garnet urged blacks to push for obtaining their freedom from oppressors who "endeavored to make them as much like brutes as possible", even if it meant getting injured or murdered. In his opinion, slavery was the worst situation that blacks could be put in, which is why he encouraged any form of resistance to forward their movement towards freedom. His radical emphasis on the importance of freedom for the black race reminded me of Malcolm X and his message of "by any means necessary". They both also used religious references to counter injustice done by their oppressors. Garnet was one of the most influential american patriots who I believe advocated for freedom the correct way by including all people.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjn9Iq6p47eAhVwzlkKHbrTCAYQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftri7entertainment.com%2Fposters%2Fmalcolm-x-poster-by-any-means-necessary-18x24%2F&psig=AOvVaw20Adq4qKf3fCZv9YtFCZbN&ust=1539894237947734
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azquotes.com%2Fpicture-quotes%2Fquote-resistance-resistance-no-oppressed-people-have-ever-secured-their-liberty-without-resistance-henry-highland-garnet-80-32-20.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azquotes.com%2Fauthor%2F24399-Henry_Highland_Garnet&docid=ojwtoxPpvGEhFM&tbnid=KiujY0YkN1z5MM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjxgOO8qI7eAhXOjFkKHZc7C20QMwhbKBwwHA..i&w=850&h=400&bih=641&biw=1396&q=henry%20garnet%20freedom&ved=0ahUKEwjxgOO8qI7eAhXOjFkKHZc7C20QMwhbKBwwHA&iact=mrc&uact=8
I too saw the same similarities in the ideas of going about obtaining freedom between Malcolm X and Henry Highland Garnet, while there were many years between the two and their influential legacies it went to show that Henry Highland Garnets' impact was something very monumental.
DeleteI definitely see the similarities between X and Garnet. Both had ideas considered "radical" for their respective time periods (and probably in today's time as well) and even lost the support of the people they advocated so avidly for. Both basically had the idea that for the complete liberation of our people, you need to be willing to "die for this shit". They had an "all in" mentality and did not allow the fear of repercussions from the oppressors to sway or lessen their determination in the fight for all around equality.
DeleteIn my opinion I believe Henry Highland Garnet was the most influential. His take on freedom and helping the slaves was an approach that not many took during this time. Henry advocated for slaves to not want and long for freedom, but to fight for it, to demand it. In his speech "Address to the US Slave" his tone and overall statement of the speech was to fight for freedom by any means necessary, therefore saying if you must die for it then be willing to do as so. His ideas have been exemplified in many of todays abolitionist who fight for freedom and the equality of African Americans
ReplyDelete-Kirah McAllister
https://blackpast.org/1843-henry-highland-garnet-address-slaves-united-states
Kirah,
DeleteIn what ways do you think that the works of Garnett continue throughout today? I do not genuinely agree to your final claim, however I was hoping you could help me to see. The reason I say this is because I do not believe that in this day in age there is a Henry Highland Garnett, that we as a people are not as apt to pushing for change by any means necessary, and especially not when life and death are involved.
Going along the lines of Kirah, I do feel that Garnet's message of uplifting blacks doesn't carry the same intensity now as it did during his time. On the contrary, I do feel that there are role models in the black community who have spoken out against injustice, even when they knew that their message wouldn't be beneficial to their careers or reputation. Garnet was in the same position when he spoke out against slavery, meaning he was willing to sacrifice his connection with empowered racists who frowned on openly rebelling in order to progress the black race. This lack of selfishness is what I truly feel like the black community needs in order to progress in our society today.
DeleteSojourner Truth catch my eye when thinking about the authors we've come across for this unit. The fact the she wasn't "conventionally" educated but could still articulate and so eloquently deliver "Ain't I a Woman," speaks volumes. Whenever she walked in a room, seeing her pictures and descriptions of her, I know her presence would grab and hold everyone's attention. When she was speaking during "Ain't I a Woman," of course she talk about slavery but she talked from a woman's perspective and not just any woman a black woman. She spoke to everyone on the panel and in the room at the Women's Convention (1851). That's how she brought in the collective "we" because the convention was filled with a multi-racial audience, so a piece of her speech, would affect everyone. What stood out to me about social change towards racial equality was when she called out white women and intersectionality, because they get the opportunity to be treated as women, and to choose their race, while black women do not, if anything we're more black than woman. Yes, black people needed to be free from slavery but after we are free from bondage we need to be treated as if we're apart of humanity. The fact that she brought out the hypocrisy of religion, how the creation of Jesus Christ, our saviour, had nothing to do with man. It was between a God and woman, but yet women are looked at as second class citizens and black women are barely looked at. Sojourner Truth is very influential to the change of social and racial equality but also to black feminism.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Knowing of Sojourner Truth's physical makeup only adds more to how powerful she must have been when she was alive. Like you mentioned, just having the ability to be able to articulate herself and stand up to a panel of people with these ideas in 1851 is just astounding. This woman is a black feminist icon. As Black women, we are not privileged with the ability of separating our race and gender (socially) and that should not bring into question our levels of womanhood.
Delete- Jasmine Howell ^^^^^
DeleteI agree. Personally, I feel like the fact that she was conventionally illiterate makes her speech more impressive because she still found a way to articulate herself. Her speech was actually my first introduction to the concept of "inter-sectional feminism." As black women, we are sometimes puts us in spaces where we are forced to separate the two parts of our identity. By Ms. Truth pointing out that sometimes black women experience sexism in spaces where white women don't solely because of their race, that allowed me to see that it is important to advocate for ALL parts of your identity at the same time. For that, I will always feel personally connected to her speech.
Delete-- Paige P.
-Brianna Johnson
ReplyDeleteThe author that we've read during this unit that caught my attention was Sojourner Truth. She advocated for racial equality brilliantly through her "Ain't I a Woman" speech. One man stated that women need to be helped into carriages. Well, she never been helped into a carriage, or over mud-puddles. Why? She's a woman too. The difference is she's a black woman. Black women should be put on the same pedestal that white women are put on. She also addressed the inequality between man and woman. This is where the collective "we" comes in. Another man stated that women should not have equal rights as men because Christ wasn't a woman. She said "well where did your Christ come from?" Her speech was passed through generations orally, there was no handwritten copy. That's how powerful her words were. In my opinion that makes her the best "author" that advocated for racial equality and equality as a whole.
I agree because she was able to speak words powerful enough for people to remember and pass it down orally to eventually record it. That in itself shows how large of an impact she had on racial and gender equality.
DeleteThe reply above is from Harmony Donald
DeleteWhile not an author in the traditional sense, Sojourner Truth stands out to me as best advocating for constructive social change and racial equality. "Ain't I A Woman?" is one of the first literary works that clearly addresses intersectionality in terms of gender and race equality. She really highlights the problem with treating race and gender as if mutually exclusive and tackles the ever so problematic "white feminism". In terms of the collective "we", Truth uses her voice to outline the atrocities of slavery as an institution AND the hypocrisy of white Christians. Additionally, in "Ain't I A Woman?" she utilizes repetition, rhetorical questions and a host of biblical references in order to really add emphasis to these points. And for that, Sojourner Truth will forever stick in my mind as not only the Mother of Intersectionality, but a fierce contender in terms rhetorical genius. She speaks volumes to me as a modern Black woman.
ReplyDeletehttps://feminismandreligion.com/2017/02/11/the-need-for-intersectionality-repainting-sojourner-truth-by-angelayarber/
https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp
- Jasmine Howell ^^^^
DeleteSojourner Truth was definitely one of the key factors in advocating for not just equal rights for women, but for black women who were the most marginalized group of individuals during her time. Her ability to convey her message in a way that made others view her perspective as a black woman was significant for her cause. I personally believe her strong appearance and confident deliverance, along with her sense of womanhood shown through mothering several children and revealing her breast, is what baffled most listeners when she delivered her speech. Society places an image on women where they are to be viewed as weaker than men, but this didn't stop Truth from telling the truth (no pun intended) about the struggles of black women.
DeleteLaurence Price-Webb
ReplyDeleteThe author that I believe had the most impact was David Walker. The author could write as a collective "we" because he had a sense of self due to introspection by imagining himself in that same position or introspection due to "critical imagination". This is reflected in the appeal written to slaves, true Christians, and people who had formerly been slaves (Irish people, and formerly indentured servants). To form a definition of what is or isn't true would require being certain. David Walker used the idea that a Christian wouldn't allow the atrocities and cruelties of slavery to happen. A true Christian wouldn't dehumanize slave. A true Christian wouldn't see a difference in black people and everyone else. True Christian wouldn't stand by and watch but would act in favor of slaves being freed because to let others suffer isn't what a true Christian would do. Slave masters used the bible to convince slaves that their position in life was natural and good. To take the backbone of justifying enslavement away would require someone capable of "critical imagination" or putting themselves in that same position.
I latched on to this because I read " All persons who are acquainted with history, and particularly the Bible, who are not blinded by the God of this world, and are not actuated solely by avarice--who are able to lay aside prejudice long enough to view candidly and impartially, things as they were, are, and probably will be--who are willing to admit that God made man to serve Him alone, and that man should have no other Lord or Lords but Himself--that God Almighty is the sole proprietor or master of the WHOLE human family". Its Long but this especially powerful as the bible was a bestselling book in America for the longest time.
I agree that David Walker was influential. As you said he pointed out the contradictions that the "Christian" slaveowners made. The slaveowners would pick apart the bible to support the things they were doing. While completely ignoring the places in the bible that discouraged slavery and the dehumanization of someone.
Delete-Harmony Donald
I agree with this option/view as well. I believe the only reason I didn't choose him is because his outcome made it seem as though he was too abrasive in the way he went about change. In that time, he probably was seen to be that way, however, he was still very impactful.
Delete- Ria Pass
In my opinion, David Walker and Henry Highland Garnett had a somewhat similar approach. They call out the hypocrisy that is being shown through the actions of the slave-owners. Each of these men were able to deliver their messages in effective styles !
DeleteI believe that Walker and Garnet shared a similar approach in their dissecting of christianity and the part it played in slavery and racial inequality. Walker and Garnet both addressed hypocrisy within the religious practices and beliefs evident in the captors of slavery.
DeleteIn my opinion Sojourner Truth stands out the most for advocating constructive social change towards racial equality. She made an audience of different racial backgrounds listen to her point of view and understand the discrepancies between different races and genders that are constantly being made. She made a white man understand that he would not be here without a woman. Jesus was created by God and a woman. A man did not have any parts in this. She also was advocator for anti-slavery movements. She herself was once a slave. She was able to all these things without being able to read or write. Many believed that without being educated they could not have any impact on society but Sojourner Truth was able to do so.
ReplyDeleteHarmony Donald
DeleteI completely agree. She had more experience as a slave, therefore allowing her to not only empathize but use her experience as knowledge on how to appeal to other slaves as well as other races.
Delete-Ria Pass ^
DeleteI feel as though Sojourner Truth had the most impact as an author. I believe this because she was able to remember more of her experience as a slave which would probably have put her in a better position to reach other African Americans who were in her former position. Unlike David Walker who was free by the time he was 10 years of age and frowned upon by his violent notions he used as persuasion, Sojourner was well into adulthood when she escaped and led many others to freedom. I feel as though it would have been more feasible to depict the voice of "we" when in terms of seniority as a slave - she endured slavery longer than Walker. Although he had racists encounters and injustices after he was freed, the mind of a 10-year-old boy in most cases still could not fully comprehend - let alone articulate - as many details as someone who grew to adulthood in the very conditions Walker was freed from. While Walker was straightforward in his approach, Truth was more subtle, although she directly addressed the panel and audience in her speech "Ain't I A Woman." In my personal opinion it was probably because of her approach that she outlived Walker. She only spoke when God released her to do so and said only what was necessary.
ReplyDelete- Ria Pass ^^^
DeleteI agree, She paved a way for the womanist to be. She put more value on the name of African American woman, allowing us to feel empowered by who we are and what we can be.
DeleteSojourner Truth grabbed my attention the most when considering who we've gone over for this unit. When she was presenting, what became known as, "Ain't I a Woman," she discussed slavery yet she spoke from a black woman's point of view in intent to bring all the black sisters together. What I liked about the speech was how she didn't leave out white women, who back then were actually treated how women were supposed to be treated. Even after slavery we, black women, should have been treated as though we were apart of mankind, and not like outsiders. I also like the way she tied religion into it because God not only created man, but also woman. The way women were treated back then, God definitely wasn't happy about that. Without women, it would be impossible to reproduce, which makes you think. Where would we be today if God didn't create women?
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact she addressed everyone in the room they way they were in society. The fact that she could read people so well speaks to her intelligence and ability to read between the lines when it came to peoples attitudes. I also liked how she identified even in that convention the people who weren't able see the differences in their experience.
DeleteOf all of the great authors we have covered and learned about, Sojourner Truth is the most inspirational to me. I believe that she fought two fights in her writings. She discussed racial and sexual injustice. The amazing thing is that she was able to address so many different people, Black or White, and speak in a way that her diverse audience found it praisable. Her experiences and past allowed her to gain a platform for her to tell her “Truth”. She helped our people out in many ways other than just being a survivor with a story, but one that created survivors when she could. Being a Black woman, her poem “Ain’t I A Woman,” was very relatable because the hate for Blacks that began in the past is still an issue. Sojourner Truth, David Walker and the other authors have given proof of how long these have been the conditions of our, but also that we’ve come very far and having to keep pushing as they did.
ReplyDeleteHi Anyia, I enjoyed reading your perspective regarding Sojourner Truth. I also admire the fact that Truth was able to address all members of her audience while placing emphasis on the black women's experience. Great post! ~ Najeeah Ford
DeleteHenry Highland Garnett is the author that stands out to me when discussing the "we" concept. Henry Garnett was able to speak up and speak out against slavery during a time period were black people were executed in the most heinous of ways. Throughout his speech, Highland reminded the blacks of who they were spiritually before they were forced to accept Eurocentric ideologies. Toward the end of the speech, Garnett explains to the slaves how they were not made to pamper these people and in order to change that they must rise up against them. Henry Highland Garnet mentions several times in this speech about the power of resistance. He explains that "no oppressed people have ever secured their liberty without resistance," and what he is trying to say is that if you want a better life then you must stand up and demand change. To me, his advocacy for resistance is a strong and powerful tool that allowed this speech to be alive today !
ReplyDeleteDavid Walker's appeal stood out to me the most during this unit. Walker's appeal radically urges against slavery and oppression by taking on the "by any means necessary," approach which was a very bold statement for a black man to make in 1829. He draws several comparisons between slaves and the Israelites, essentially stating that after the slaves are set free that they be given all of their biblical rights. In fact, he uses the bible as the basis for most of his speech which I found to be extremely effective in building his argument because many slave owners used Christianity as justification for slavery and racism. Although there is no actual evidence, I believe that Walker's appeal is what inspired the Nat Turner rebellion of 1831. He not only inspired Nat Turner's Slave revolt of 1831 but he inspired a whole oncoming generation of radicalism which would soon become known as black nationalist. His influence is still very relevant in the teachings of many other notable activists, particularly Malcolm X. His appeals solidified him as the father of black nationalism and for that I would have to say that he was the most constructive in advocating for social change.
ReplyDelete-- Paige P.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI admire any author's ability to convey a message with cunning. Creating a sense of ambiguity that can sway the support of every, unique listener. Phyllis Wheatley, in many ways, stood out to me as the best proponent for practical social change. Especially when her work is analyzed in the context of her particular time period. Upon first reading "On Being Brought from Africa to America", I can admit that I interpreted the poem as an ode to white people and I felt betrayed by her implications. My mistake was that I did not recognize that she was advocating for African American slaves; the "we" voice she used was cleverly combined with a silver lining for "them". Being a domestic slave in the Middle Colonies, where conditions were not as harsh as Southern colonies, undoubtedly played a role in her gracious sentiments toward whites. Even still, I maintain that she fully understood and embraced her identity. In her 1773 poem, "To the University of Cambridge", she addressed the students that would have an opportunity to receive an education where she was denied. Wheatley writes, " 'twas not long since I left my native shore/the land of errors and Egyptian(black) gloom". Wheatley pays gratitude to God and the "merciful" forces that brought her to America. However, notice that this is skillfully placed before reminding the students of their great privilege in taking advantage of the chance to study at an institution. Additionally, she reminds them of their duty in shunning sin, a "baneful evil". I find it interesting that seems to follow a trend of catching the eye of her white audience, before discussing the topic that advocates for her black readers and counterparts. At the time these pieces were written, appealing to the white, Christian audience was a mechanism of maximizing her range of influence. You can not preach to anyone that will not even listen to you in the first place. If you can not reach the presumed majority, how can you ignite social change? She may get their attention with " 'twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land"; but, she will make them think when she reminds them that "Negroes...may be refin'd and join th' angelic train".
ReplyDeleteI agree, reading many of these slave narratives allowed me to analyze and put into context the topics that we covered throughout the semester. I was able to gain a deeper message from the authors and it put more value towards the readings. Also what stood out to me was seeing how Wheatley appealed to her white audience before she appealed to her black audience and advocating form them which I was a little confused.
Delete(Najeeah Ford)
ReplyDeleteI personally like Sojourner Truth the most because I felt like she was more of an advocate for black women. “Ain’t I a Woman” resonated with me because she shares her personal experiences as a black woman then draws a comparison between how white women are expected to be treated. Many of these movements neglected black women, and it was her goal to expose this hypocrisy, hence the title “Ain’t I a Woman”. In an audience of white feminist, Sojourner Truth paints a depiction of the black woman's struggle in an attempt to get the audience to understand her message. Truth is a rhetorical genius because she then collectively includes her audience by stating that a man would not be here except through God and a woman.
The person that stood out most to me during this unit was Henry Highland Garnet. Though I will admit that this is impart to the fact that he exudes a strong militant and radical viewpoint that is proved to be evident in his speech "Call to Rebellion", I argue that this largely overshadows what Garnet is most valuable for. Though I believe the spirit of "freedom or die trying" is both beneficial and ultimately necessary to the emancipation of black people within slavery and racial oppression, Garnet will not be the last radical thinker to enter black history nor was he at the time. What makes him most valuable to the struggle is his personal affiliation with both freedom as a colored man in America as well as his knowledge of black leadership and pride passed down to him by his Mandingo Chieftain grandfather.
ReplyDeleteThe experience of the enslaved people as well as those who were free though similar did not mirror that of Garnet. Garnet knew freedom in its entirety even more deeply then that of his fellow free abolitionist and Negroes. Because Garnets experience was so rich ,he held a much greater perspective on what black people could achieve and most undoubtedly deserved. This , in part, made him even more motivated and dedicated to liberating and showing the beauty of freedom to black people regardless if they could see it for themselves in their dire circumstances.This alone made him the most dangerous man in the US, but, most importantly ,a man equipped with the tools and knowledge to contribute to the liberation of blacks in America .
-Joshua Trimble
DeleteI agree that Henry Highland Garnet’s advocacy for the liberation of black people in America was enhanced by radical viewpoints. This, in part, is why so many people chose him as the most likely candidate for social change. I especially resonate with a line in your second paragraph that reads “This alone made him the most dangerous man in the US”; because, it is entirely too true. A black man with a sense of pride and nationality can quite possibly impact the social construct, but a man with education has the potential to knock it down. I admire the notion that Garnet was a free man, who fully understood and appreciated the depth of his black heritage. With this sense of heritage, that was probably strongly by his grandfather, came a sense of identity. One that can only be fulfilled by being a proponent for the collective “we”. His sense of black pride was, indeed, so strong that he wanted every other black person in America to experience the freedoms he knew were possible to achieve.
DeleteI believed the Garnet was the stood out the most as an advocate for the constructive social change towards racial equality as well, however, in all the points I discussed to support him, it didnt even register to me that a large portion of his leadership skills and ability to touch and inspire masses of people may have been directly related to his lineage considering his Grandfather was a Mandingo Chieftain. That was a great point.
DeleteSojourner Truth had the most impact as an author to me in this unit. Her "Ain't I a Woman" speech is inspirational because it was not written down or prepared. Sojourner Truth wasn't "conventionally" educated but still had a powerful and articulated message that God told her needed to be said at the right time only. She shares her perspective of being a black women through her experience. She addressed white women on how they get treated, but also throws in "Ain't I A Women" too because she's has never been helped into a wagon or helped over a bridge. Even with her "masculine" built she reminds them she is still a woman by showing her breast. She directly addressed the white male pastor on the panel to hit home and say well wasn't Jesus birthed from a woman. Sojourner Truth is one of a kind and a great author while not letting her illiteracy stop her from having to say what needed to be said!
ReplyDeleteTekeyra, I also see Sojourner Truth as a strong influence for changing the social construct. Challenging, not only the white women that denied her womanhood, but the white men that denied her the right to be human. Being illiterate must have been so frustrating, with everyone nullifying what you had to say because it wasn’t expressed a certain way. Many people tried to taint her message by way of condescension. However, despite their best efforts, her advocacy still rang out to the masses.
DeleteSojourner Truth had the most impact as an author to me in this unit. Her "Ain't I a Woman" speech is inspirational because it was not written down or prepared. Sojourner Truth wasn't "conventionally" educated but still had a powerful and articulated message that God told her needed to be said at the right time only. She shares her perspective of being a black women through her experience. She addressed white women on how they get treated, but also throws in "Ain't I A Women" too because she's has never been helped into a wagon or helped over a bridge. Even with her "masculine" built she reminds them she is still a woman by showing her breast. She directly addressed the white male pastor on the panel to hit home and say well wasn't Jesus birthed from a woman. Sojourner Truth is one of a kind and a great author while not letting her illiteracy stop her from having to say what needed to be said!
ReplyDeleteSojourner Truth had the most impact as an author to me in this unit. Her "Ain't I a Woman" speech is inspirational because it was not written down or prepared. Sojourner Truth wasn't "conventionally" educated but still had a powerful and articulated message that God told her needed to be said at the right time only. She shares her perspective of being a black women through her experience. She addressed white women on how they get treated, but also throws in "Ain't I A Women" too because she's has never been helped into a wagon or helped over a bridge. Even with her "masculine" built she reminds them she is still a woman by showing her breast. She directly addressed the white male pastor on the panel to hit home and say well wasn't Jesus birthed from a woman. Sojourner Truth is one of a kind and a great author while not letting her illiteracy stop her from having to say what needed to be said!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the authors we have read and learned about in unit two, David Walker stands out to me as the best advocate for a constructive change towards racial equality. Walker was brave and courageous, because with him speaking out in this time period, was amazing. Being the “father of black nationalism,” Walker is calling everyone to action. He lets us know in “Appeal,” which was written in 1829, that we must do something in order to see results or die. He also lets whites know that he is talking to them as well. Without David Walker, there would have been no Nat Turner’s Rebellion, Malcolm X, Henry Highland Garnet, or even President Obama. Walker knew what he wanted and what was needed in the world at that very moment. My favorite thing about David Walker, other than him being from Wilmington, North Carolina, was when tells us to not be blind-sided by this “new found religion.” There were religious hypocrites and fake Christians, and Walker is not afraid to call anybody out on their wrongdoing.
ReplyDeleteThe author that we've read this unit that stands out to me as the best advocating for the constructive social change towards racial equality was Henry Highland Garnet. Despite being born a slave, once Garnet's family escaped, Garnet managed to become an educated, and eloquent speaker and writer. Being schooled during Garnet's childhood exposed him to racism and racist experiences at an early age, which I believe fueled his fire and desire to fight and advocate for this constructive change towards racial equality. Garnet urged Lincoln to enlist black troops under the basis that if we as a people were strong enough to build this land on our backs, that we deserve the honor to defend it as well. In Garnet's "An Address to Slaves", he makes a collective call to action to all slave folks. The call of action was one of both empathy and urgency, inspiring slave folks that if they wanted freedom and equality that they would have to be willing to revolt, resist, and even die for their cause, because the only way to end the oppression was by working together relentlessly.
ReplyDelete