Here, led by Remond, Nell, Wells-Brown, and Douglass, a new period of self-assertion and self-development dawned
In this part of the text the author is remembering the people who came before him and that is interesting. I dont believe we have seen anything like this, where they pay tribute to the people that came before them.
He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.
Through the struggle of civil rights in the US, this was the main argument. Black people have always wanted nothing more but to be treated as equals, and to this day, the fight continues.
After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian the Negro is a sort of seventh son
Similar to what we've seen before, Black people are aware that they are treated worse than all other races on the planet.
He recognizes that the wrongs of two centuries can not be righted in a day, and he tries to bear his burden with patience for today and be hopeful for tomorrow.
I think this is an interesting look at how blacks felt at the time. I think this shows the resilance and perseverence of black people. When freed, instead of running, many freed slaves stayed in their towns and fought to make their homes a better place.
In slave times the Negro was kept subservient and submissive by the frequency and severity of the scourging, but, with freedom, a new system of intimidation came into vogue; the Negro was not only whipped and scourged; he was killed.
Systematic racism began with slavery. When slaves became free white people found it hard to systematically oppress the freed slaves. This is where lynching began to pick up and be come a staple of southern anger against freed slaves.
Had it occurred in the wilds of interior Africa, there would have been an outcry from the humane people of this country against the savagery which would so mercilessly put men and women to death. But it was an evidence of American civilization to be passed by unnoticed, to be denied or condoned as the requirements of any future emergency might determine.
The text highlights the difference between savergy in the US vs. other countries. When dont in America, the acts are seen as less violent, and justified, while had it been done in Africa, the acts would have been seen as savage. Interesting correlation
my heart aches with desire
The author strives to illustrate the the struggle slaves had internally. In their hearts they wanted to be anything but slaves, but society told them otherwise.
My hands grown tired, my head weighed down with dreams
similar to the other poem, the author speaks of the importance of dreams, and faith and how it took over their minds o escape their living situation,
And now—unwittingly, you've made me dreamOf violets, and my soul's forgotten gleam
She dreams of flowers to avoid thinking of her harsh reality. The "gleam" of her soul has been lost through this horrible situation.
Still, the chief part of the negro music is civilized in its character--partly composed under the influence of association with the whites
Even in music, african music is expected to be "civilized", to the liking of white people. Even music was harshly judged buy the white community.
Many other persons interested themselves in the collection of words and tunes
This shows that making these collections and studying slave songs from this era brought a sense of togetherness, not just with the authors of the songs, but with the people who listened to the music, which was usually at church
The words are, of course, in a large measure taken from Scripture, and from the hymns heard at church;
This shows how much african slaves relied on the church, and put faith into it. The church acted as a support system and meeting place for africans during this time.
He peopled my young mind with unclean images, such as only a vile monster could think of.
Instead of physical abuse, Flint tainted the young girl through verbal messages. Making her living environment very uncomfortable and hard to work in.
They seem to satisfy their consciences with the doctrine that God created the Africans to be slaves. What a libel upon the heavenly Father, who "made of one blood all nations of men!" And then who are Africans? Who can measure the amount of Anglo-Saxon blood coursing in the veins of American slaves?
This is a common theme we have seen within slave narratives. She is speaking of what makes her African. Even tho she is American born, she is still considered African.
have done so all mylife nearly, and of what use is it to me
Henry is very skeptical about religion. Bad things have been happening to him all his life, and for this he questions religion.
he conduct of Mrs. Franks toward her servant was more like that of anelder sister than a mistress, and the mistress and maid sometimes woredresses cut from the same web of cloth
This is a large difference from what we have seen in previous readings. Usually slaves and mistress have bad relations due to jealously on the side of the mistress. Very interesting.
Yet it oftenhad been whispered that in beauty the maid equalled if not excelled themistress. Her age was twenty-eight
Tho an African, she is still just as, if not more beautiful than her white owners, which is a theme we've seen in previous readings.
These slaves were also taught how old they were by Mr. Walker,
Like we saw with Douglas, salves often time were not told their birth dates. It was used as a way to maintain control over their slaves. The less the knew about them selves the better.
whipped her nearly to death; yet he was a deacon in the Baptist church, in good and regular standing
Like what we saw in Douglas's narrative, and stories before this, the slave owners use religion o justify the treatment of slaves.
My master's family consisted of himself
It is interesting that he considers himself a part of his masters family. This is pretty uncommon for what we have seen before.
he found religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty.
Usually in the readings we have seen thus far, religion was used as a good thing, as a hopeful thing, but in this narrative Douglas says his master used religion to justify his cruelty to his slaves. An interesting shift in rhetoric.
served to deepen my conviction of the infernal character of slavery, and to fill me with unutterable loathing of slaveholders
In previous reading, the slaves would often times look up to their masters, holding them at a high regard. This is not the case in Douglas's narrative. He understands the evil nature of slavery, and it angers him.
Men and women, old and young, married and single, were ranked with horses
Again here Douglas makes a point to equate slaves with horses, another working animal.
As many of these as I could, I converted into teachers. With their kindly aid, obtained at different times and in different places,
He became very resourceful. He had a goal and he reached it, no matter what. Very admirable
I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom.
This is when Douglas realized that education is the key to freedom. The white slave owners used their illiteracy as a way to further control them.
Slavery proved as injurious to her as it did to me.
Douglas is continuing to say that the intstitution of slavery is not only horrible for the African people, but for the white slave owners as well, turning goo people into horrible monsters.
My father was a white man.
This is a common motif that we have seen during reading, the the white slave owners bare children with the slaves and fail to own up to their mistakes. I feel as if this added to his very strong opinion about the institution of slavery.
Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains
Throughout the text Douglas's opinion of slavery is very clear. Here he is continuing to voice his opinion.
and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant. I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday.
I did not know many salves didnt know their birthdays. That is such a common thing in todays time I never thought they wouldnt have access to it. The salve masters used this as a way to control their slaves.
To tear the black man from his soil. And forn• him here to ddw and toil
I think it is interesting that he speaks about the freedom his people had back in Africa, and to be forced to come here to lose it.
Should flow that patriotic blood. So freely shed on field and flood. Oh no: they fought. as thev believed,
The author draws upon the irony that even though Africans have been treated so poorly by the American, that they are still willing to fight for the United States
Chained on your blooJ-bemoistened sod, Cringing beneath a lyrant's rod
This is a common theme in all of our readings, equating American being the "land of the free" but they deny millions of people the right to freedom.
SOJOURNER TRUTH
Q1: How does Truth use religion in her speech to further prove her point? Q2: How does feminism from this era parallel feminism today?
If the ignorance of slavery is a passport to heaven, then it is a blessing, and no curse, and you should rather desire its perpetuity than its abolition
To me this was a powerful quote. Saying that restricting a human freedom and rights is the passport to heaven is the lifestyle that many white people lives. In today's time it is crazy to see that people one actually believed these ideals.
Slavery had stretched its dark wings of death over the land, the Church stood silently by
Similar to what we have seen in other texts, the author speaks on the irony of Christians doing these horrible things to people. It is interesting that so many authors are equating the white christian men to their devilish actions.
The voice of Freedom cried, “Emancipate your slaves.
Here the author is giving a literally definition of freedom, saying that freedom is not being owned by someone else. The author also discussed other "versions" of freedom.
white Americans having reduced us to the wretched state of slavery, treat us in that condition more cruel (they being an enlighted and Christian people), than any heathen nation did any people whom it had reduced to our condition.
It is ironic that Christianity teaches people to love everyone and be kind but the author is point out the largest flaw within their religion.
we, (coloured people of these United States,) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began
I find it interesting that at first he compares western slavery to biblical era slavery, then he says that American slavery is the worst thing to ever happen.
Blacks or Coloured People, are treated more cruel by the white Christians of America, than devils themselves ever treated a set of men, women and children on this earth
Unlike the previous readings we've had thus far, this author speaks to Christianity as a bad thing, comparing white Christians to the devil himself, emphasizing their cruelty to colored people, to prove his point.
hen, attending to nothing but his criminal desires, he threw his arms around her and planted a bun1ing kiss on her face
I find it very interesting that Alfred did the same thing to Georges wife that he did to his mother. If the has this unusually close bond that this slave and slavemaster had why did he do this?
he liked him, as much as one can like a man; and Alfred esteemed him,
It is very interesting that they developed this strong relationship, without Georges know he was his father. Maybe Alfred actively tried to develop their relationship because he knew he was his father?
"They threw themselves into each others arms. ey Alf d' t h h · trance to re s proper y. when the carriage passed throug t e mam en .. Th ·t· 'What's this I see ' he shouted, uncmlmg an e overseer was wa1 1ng. · · · ' , k · · th · · h l · d h' belt· Jacques 1ss1ng e new immense whip that e a ways carne on IS , • . · Wh · t· ence'' With this lashes began arnval before my very eyes. . . . at imper m · . , . ,, to fall on the unhappy man, and spurts of blood leaped from his face.
Referring back to Madison's question, this is a situation that is based in reality. I feel as if slaves being separated during their lives and being reunited is a theme that reoccurs within Slave literature. Along with her reaction to being sold, both situation hold strong ties to reality.
Outside observers frequently remarked on the good discipline of these meetings,
Like the author of the previous text, he is characterizing the texts as very influential.
its membership numbered in the thousands, and it is highly probable that the Allen-hymnal repertory had been adopted by black Methodist congregations in both the N
The author has characterized Richard Allen's work as very influential in both the black community and the white community, both in the north and in the south.
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train
Here the author is speaking of refinement of Negros. This inherently implies that Africans come from an uncivilized place, and need to be change into what the white people wanted them to be.
TWAS mercy brought me from my Pagan land
It is very interesting that she speaks of Africa in this way. In the other narratives that we have read, the authors usually speak of Africa in a more complimenting way.
all creative beings were born to enjoy peace, but man, who stimulated by ambition, is more cruel than the beasts of the forest, which soil he ever renders fertile with the blood of his victims.
This line stood out to me a a lot. It kind of emphasizes the cruelty of man kind. The author is saying that man, inherently, is evil by nature. I find it very interesting that she would compare man to cruelty.
fear
The word "fear" and other synonyms have been mentions a lot throughout this narrative so far.
Paulina prayed for mercy for theenemies of her country, and the destroyers of her peace.
Like in other stories we have read, I feel like the author is continuing the importance of religion to the people of the time. A common thread between stories.
Before he had time to fight, - Before he did the Indians see
These lines are comparable to the other readings we've seen, showing that the native americans are very good at war and fighting.
The Indians did in ambush lay
What battle is the author speaking of? Is this a battle between indians and white men?I feel as if it would have made more sense if we had more context of what was going on.
Some very valiant men to slay
Previously the stories that we read before painted the native americans in a bad light. In my opinion, Terry is doing the opposite, calling them "valiant".
I asked my master one time if he would consent to have me purchase my freedom. He replied that he would. I was then very happy, knowing that I was at that time able to pay part of the purchase money
Firstly, it is interesting to see that a slave master would allow his slaves 1 to work for money, and 2 allow him to buy his freedom. It seems very usual that the slave would be getting the money from his labor with another master, and not the slaves master.
We mutually confederated not to betray or desert one another on pain of death
The amount of trust they must have in each other is incredible. This is literally life or death, and having that kind of faith in someone is unimaginable. I can picture myself in that situation, and what I would do.
should not fear to trust him with his whole fortune, for that he had been in his native place so habituated to keeping his word, that he would sacrifice even his life to maintain it.
Similar to our previous readings Venture works hard to impress his master. Looking up to him, and developing deep relationships with their masters is a common theme in the readings thus far.
hus, at the very moment I dreamed of the greatest happiness, I found myself Page 66 most miserable; and it seemed as if fortune wished to give me this taste of joy, only to render the reverse more poignant.
Here the author begins to resent the color of his skin. While it it something he can do nothing about, it is the principal thing that dictates the plan of his entire life. This rhetoric has change to a more self-prideful rhetoric, being proud of the pigment of our skin.
Most of the judges and senators were thus marked; my father had long born it: I had seen it conferred on one of my brothers, and I was also destined to receive it by my parents. Those Embrence, or chief men, decided disputes and punished crimes;
Shined light to the white Americans that the Africans had a functioning society. This example of their judicial system should have been an example to the white Europeans/Americans of their complex society.
through the mysterious ways Page iv of Providence, I ought to regard as infinitely more than compensated by the introduction I have thence obtained to the knowledge of the Christian religion
Similar to the other narratives, Equiano seeks the guidance from religion and God. This seems to be a common thread throughout these narratives.
-I was employ'd in this Service about Seven Months, during which Time I lived very well, and then returned to the Castle again, where I had my Liberty to walk about the City,
This is a nontraditional practice with slaves, allowing them to freely walk the city. Hammon seemed to be contempt with this arrangement, compared to his previous situations.
After being on Shore another Twelvemonth, I endeavour'd to make my Escape the second Time
Here it is easy to see Hammon's bravery solely in the amount of attempts he made to escapes the Indians and masters.
, making a prodigious shouting and hallowing like so many Devils
Very interesting to see how African slaves still looked down upon native Americans, calling them savages and relating their hallowing to sounds of the devil.
ratherlearntoplayuponmusicthangotoatrade.
A very nontraditional field for a person of color. Like in todays world, he was taking a risk by perusing music and not learning a trade.
Heremyimprovementwassorapid,thatinatwelvemonth'stimeIbecamemasterbothoftheviolinandoftheFrenchhorn,andwasmuchrespectedbytheGentlemenandLadieswhosechildrenattendedtheschool,asalsobymymaster
Not only is he educated in academics, but he is well tuned in fine arts as well, learning to play musical instruments. During this time period, this seemed very unlikely and rare for people of color.
HereIwassenttoschool,andtaughttoreadandipell
In many cases people of color were not taught to read and wright. Education is the key to freedom and success and many times blacks were neglected of the privilege in order to more easily control them.