Many scholars argue that the David Walker (1829) appeal was inspired by The Haitian Revolution (1791). Perhaps, the Appeal serves as inspiration for Nat Turner's rebellion (1831) in the South (Virgina). After reading the short Appeal, discuss whether the tone of the document justified? Be sure to describe the tone and cite lines that support your conclusion.
17 comments:
The tone of this document is melancholy and outraged, but also resolute. David Walker said that blacks that lived in the United States "are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived...I pray God that none like us ever may live again..." Walker is telling us that blacks were treated so poorly, "chaining and handcuffing us, branding us, cramming fire down our throats...keeping us in slavery, and beating us nearly or quite to death to make us work in ignorance and miseries, to support them and their families," and were almost conforming to this treatment, so that he hoped no more African Americans ever lived like that again. Walker is very angry about this treatment, and he specifies that he is angry at Thomas Jefferson, calling him a hypocrite because he wrote the Declaration of Independence, saying all men were created equal, and then he turns around and says blacks were inferior to whites.
Walker says that all men are equal in the eyes of God, and that whites couldn't be superior because they were all servants of God: "have we any other Master but Jesus Christ alone? Is he not their (the whites) Master as well as ours?" Walker urges fellow black Americans to be proud of who they are and to make a stand against the unfair and cruel treatment they receive from the whites. He ends with telling them to look at the Declaration of Independence because it clearly states that all men were created equal and with equal rights.
The tone of the document was furious and walker seemed desperate for revolution. Walker discussed the whites as hypocrites because they claimed to be christians but did such unjust things. "Have we any other Master but Jesus Christ alone? Is he not their Master as well as ours? -- What right then, have we to obey and call any other Master, but Himself?"He also discussed Mr.Jefferson as unloyal because he said "all men are equal" in the declaration of independence, but yet goes against his own words and supports slavery.Walker seems desperate for revolution because he describes how inhuman they were treated " the result of my observations has warranted the full and unshaken conviction, that we, (coloured people of these United States,) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began; and I pray God that none like us ever may live again until time shall be no more". Walker also argues that if anyone was to claim america it will be the slaves "America is more our country, than it is the whites-we have enriched it with our blood and tears. The greatest riches in all America have arisen from our blood and tears: -- and will they drive us from our property and homes, which we have earned with our blood?". He ends by telling fellow Americans that slaves should be free and they can be friends because nothing is impossible with god.
The tone of this document is outrageous and furious. For example, David Walker is extremely upset as to how Blacks are being treated. This rage is shown when the text states, "Are we MEN! ! -- I ask you, 0 my brethren I are we MEN? Did our Creator make us to be slaves to dust and ashes like ourselves?" This shows how David Walker feels towards the way blacks were being looked down upon. Also, to show what he thinks of Whites, Walker states, "The whites have always been an unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority."
The tone Mr. Walker has in his appeal is not fury for the sake of fury nor is it sarcasm. His tone in his appeal is that of well over due justice. His tone is of over due equality and freedom, that thousands of people were entitled to but never received. Mr. walker says ""Have we any other Master but Jesus Christ alone? Is he not their Master as well as ours? -- What right then, have we to obey and call any other Master, but Himself?" His tone I felt was the vengeance of the slaves and it had slight sarcasm. As he spoke about about Mr. Jeferson who pronounced that "all men are created equal" but then "declared to the world, that we are inferior to the whites, both in the endowments of our bodies and our minds? It is indeed surprising, that a man of such great learning, combined with such excellent natural parts, should speak so of a set of men in chains." His tone really just said that slavery was redundant especially the way Americans were doing it.
I really thought when Mr. Walker said " but I tell you Americans! that unless you speedily alter your course, you and your Country are gone! ! ! ! ! " it brought the whole piece home-at least for me. That's because the country, as Mr. Walker brought out, was founded after a revolt from oppression yet here are the same former oppressed men oppressing others. The Hypocrisy in that is so visible, Mr. Walker has to be laughing humorlessly because of it. His tone is certainly justified.
Mr.Walker's tone in his appeal is angry and wanting of justice. Walker say, " the result of my
observations has warranted the full and
unshaken conviction, that we, (coloured
people of these United States,) are the
most degraded, wretched, and abject set
of beings that ever lived since the world
began," meaning colored people are nothing. Instead of saying human he says beings meaning coloreds are not even people their just "there". He goes on to say "Have
we any other Master but Jesus Christ
alone? Is he not their Master as well as
ours? -- What right then, have we to
obey and call any other Master, but
Himself?". I think there he means if we share the same Master how are we not equal. That's were his disbelief & curiosity comes in at. I believe he thinks how shall we call someone else our master when God's our only ruler. Walker just wants justice for the way Americans treat colored. He doesn't believe it's right
The tone of the document is anger and Walker was trying the really get his point across. In a way, Walker is trying to justify that even as they are all Christians, the whites are hypocrites. "... I call upon the professing Christians, I call upon the philanthropist, I call upon the very tyrant himself, to show me a page of history, either sacred or profane, on which a verse can be found, which maintains, that the Egyptians heaped the insupportable insult upon the children of Israel, by telling them that they were not of the human family. Can the whites deny this charge?" How can the whites and blacks believe in the same thing yet the whites have slaves? Walker is saying that the Egyptians and the Israelis were of the same 'human family' and they were slaves also. How can blacks be degraded as humans, even the slaves back in the Ancient Civilizations were apart of a human family.
Walker also quotes Mr.Jefferson when Jefferson makes an assertion in his letter about slaves but Walker said the whites would not believe them. He always says that Mr.Jefferson was one of the whites, living among them. So who is he to defend the blacks?
Walker also insults the whites very cruelly. "The whites have always been an unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority." I believe this is the strongest line in the document. This is where Walker shows how much hatred he has towards the whites, how he sees them through his eyes. He also says "Or do they wish us to return thanks to them for chaining and handcuffing us, branding us, cramming fire down our throats, or for keeping us in slavery, and beating us nearly or quite to death to make us work in ignorance and miseries, to support them and their families." He is asking why the slaves should be thankful to the whites when they are torturous and cold? So he explains what the slave owners did to them and asked if the whites would like if the same was done to them. Walker is being rhetorical because, I believe, Walker finally got his point across. We are all human beings, only God should judge us, no other. No man should harm another man?
I believe Walker was very emotional and believed that he wasn't alive inside. He believed that no matter how dead inside he was, the whites are going to, one day, curse the day they were ever born. "that some of you, (whites) on the continent of America, will yet curse the day that you ever were born." This shows that he believes that somewhere in the future, revenge will happen.
Finally, Walker quotes the Declaration of Independence. He tells the whites to understand their 'own language'. ""We hold these truths to be self evident -- that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL! ! that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness! !"" All men are created equal, as stated above.
Mr walker's tone in this document is angry and he has a right to be. He does not like the way blacks are treated. He says in the first paragraph "my observations has warranted the full and unshaken conviction, that we, (coloured people of these United States,) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began" in this quote Mr. Walker is saying that black people have always been looked down upon by people as wretched which means poor. Mr. Walker goes on to say " Did our Creator make us to be slaves to dust and ashes like ourselves? Are they not dying worms as well as we?". In this quote he is being sarcastic. He is pointing out the fact that all people were created the same and they are all going to die someday. Mr. Walker then says that white people are " unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority." Here he is saying white people are cruel and feel like they need to be in charge. Mr. Walker has a right to be angry because colored people are discrimanated against and looked down against with out probable cause.
The tone of this document is urgent with a hint of tactful wit. He uses humor to catch the readers attention while simultaneously instilling deeper thought. His strongest tool of persuasion was using other peoples quotes and exposing the defectiveness of it. For instance Walker states " But let us review Mr. Jefferson's remarks respecting us some further. Comparing our miserable fathers, with the learned philosophers of Greece, he says: "Yet notwithstanding these and other discouraging circumstances among the Romans, their slaves were often their rarest artists. They excelled too, in science, insomuch as to be usually employed as tutors to their master's children; Epictetus, Terence and Phaedrus, were slaves, -- but they were of the race of whites. It is not their condition then, but nature, which has produced the distinction." See this, my brethren! ! Do you believe that this assertion is swallowed by millions of the whites?" This quotes illustrates how whites see the truth but intently choose not to accept as relevant. Bearing this in mind I believe walker is very much much justified in his tone.
Walker was certainly an outspoken black abolitionist, and he made his opinion known in this appeal. Many believe that the tone of this article is anger but i disagree. He determination for abolition and his passionate way of speaking simulated anger. Walker targeted his spirited opinion most specifically to southern slaves, but I believe in a sense he discreetly spoke to some slavowners that would maybe hear about and read the article. He often put empathis on certain points which made people listen to what he had to say. Others call out ranting, i call it getting your point across. He urged slaves to revolt, asking them the question, "had you not rather be killed than to be slave to a tyrant?" This to me set a tone of determination, seriousness, impatience, and perseverance.
The tone of this document is angry and annoyed.In the first paragraph he says "the result of my observations has warranted the full and unshaken conviction, that we, (coloured people of these United States,) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began; and I pray God that none like us ever may live again until time shall be no more".He feels that 'coloured people'were treated very poorly and awful.Walker also says "Are we MEN! ! -- I ask you, 0 my brethren I are we MEN? Did our Creator make us to be slaves to dust and ashes like ourselves? Are they not dying worms as well as we? Have they not to make their appearance before the tribunal of Heaven, to answer for the deeds done in the body, as well as we? Have we any other Master but Jesus Christ alone? Is he not their Master as well as ours? -- What right then, have we to obey and call any other Master, but Himself?"He is very angry because he says that they are all men.He doesn't understand why they are treated differently because they have the same God (Jesus) and he should be the only one called 'Master'.
He says that "The whites have always been an unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority".Then he says, "Treat us then like men, and we will be your friends. And there is not a doubt in my mind, but that the whole of the past will be sunk into oblivion, and we yet, under God, will become a united and happy people. The whites may say it is impossible, but remember that nothing is impossible with God".
At the last paragraph he talks about the Declaration of Independence.He compares what the Declaration says to what whites have done to them(cruelties and murders)."See your Declaration Americans! ! ! Do you understand your won language? Hear your languages, proclaimed to the world, July 4th, 1776 -- "We hold these truths to be self evident -- that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL! ! that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness! !" Compare your own language above, extracted from your Declaration of Independence, with your cruelties and murders inflicted by your cruel and unmerciful fathers and yourselves on our fathers and on us -- men who have never given your fathers or you the least provocation! ! ! ! ! ! ."
David Walker's tone in this document is outraged and disturbed. Walker's tone is similar to abolitionists clique and how they used the agreement that all men are equal against Thomas Jefferson. Also what the country was founded on and who was founded by. For example,"We hold these truths to be self evident -- that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL! ! that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!" I choose this example because it shows how Walker's tone is outrage and how he uses the D.O.I to reference how slaves are men also but not recognize by white people. In Walker's piece he states, America is more our country, than it is the whites-we have enriched it with our blood and tears. The greatest riches in all America have arisen from our blood and tears: -- and will they drive us from our property and homes, which we have earned with our blood...The Americans have got so fat on our blood and groans..." I choose this example because it shows how ferocious he was and how not only does it shows america was built on slaves, but white people were getting richer for black in bondage.
In comparison to the Benjamin Banneker and Phyllis Wheatley letters, I think that David Walker was more outspoken in his writing. Yet I don’t think that his appeal was too radical; he was only being frank about the reality of slaves and slave-holders. I think that because he was not writing to a highly-esteemed person, he didn't feel as cautious in his expression. When speaking of whites, he said, “They say that we are ungrateful- but I ask them for heaven’s sake, what should we be grateful to them for- for murdering our fathers and mothers? Or do they wish us to return thanks to them for chaining and handcuffing us, branding us, cramming fire down our throats, or for keeping us in slavery…to support them and their families.” He maintained his flagrant tone throughout the article, shamelessly calling out the evils of slavery by name. He didn’t want his Appeal to be easy to read or easy to handle emotionally. He wanted both black and white people to feel uncomfortable. If they were, they might become willing to end slavery and "be a united and happy people."
The tone of appeal was very serious and to the point. The point of him writing was to get his point across. Very much like phyllis wheatley. She also wanted to get her point across. David walker maybe wanted for his voice to b heard but not on a high level. He didn't write to anybody of that importance. Which kind of made me think whether or not did HE believe the issue was important enough to change the situation. Yes, he was angry (how he seem).but i kind of think the document could b better justified
The tone of this document was very angry and blunt. He doesn't like the treatment of blacks. In the passage it states "Are we MEN! ! -- I ask you, 0 my brethren I are we MEN? Did our Creator make us to be slaves to dust and ashes like ourselves?", this shows hows he feels about blacks being treated the way that they are. In the piece of writing he is outraged and fed up. He continuously insults whites. And after he quotes the Declaration of Independence he tells the whites to "understand their own language" that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.In my opinion he is trying to make the point that if a white man wrote the Declaration of Independence and that we are all equal than why are so many blacks look down upon. He feels like blacks werent put on this earth to be treated poorly and become enslaved.
The tone of this document was very stoic and outraged. It is also very to the point, but also polite. I use the word "polite" because he is not disrespectful, however he is fed up, which shows in his writing. He writes " I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD." To me David Walker is saying that he will not stoop down to others unjust levels, yet his voice will still be heard. Meaning that he doesn't have to do mortally wrong things just to get what he wants, or just to prove a certain point. From reading this piece, it is clear that he does not like the treatment of blacks in society. He believes that whites are dehumanizing blacks and this is not what God intended because in his eyes all men are created equally.
The tone of the David Walker appeal is not only outraged, but disappointed as well. Walker can not fathom how the white citizens pf America can claim to be Christian, religious, and so "Holier Than Thou" when they have singled out Blacks as an inhumane class of people. Walker says," that we, (coloured people of these United States,) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began; and I pray God that none like us ever may live again until time shall be no more... but little more among them than the name and form of slavery; while wretchedness and endless miseries were reserved, apparently in a phial, to be poured out upon, our fathers ourselves and our children, by Christian Americans!". Walker is appalled and confused as to how Blacks, Israelite, Romans, etc, can all be considered slaves but blacks can be the only ones that are entirely degraded and considered inhumane. I think that Walker had and has every right to be as furious as he wants.
The tone of the document was furious and walker seemed desperate for revolution. Walker discussed the whites as hypocrites because they claimed to be christians but did such unjust things. "Have we any other Master but Jesus Christ alone?Walker says," that we, (coloured people of these United States,) are the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began; and I pray God that none like us ever may live again until time shall be no more... but little more among them than the name and form of slavery; while wretchedness and endless miseries were reserved, apparently in a phial, to be poured out upon, our fathers ourselves and our children, by Christian Americans!". When speaking of whites, he said, “They say that we are ungrateful- but I ask them for heaven’s sake, what should we be grateful to them for- for murdering our fathers and mothers? Or do they wish us to return thanks to them for chaining and handcuffing us, branding us, cramming fire down our throats, or for keeping us in slavery…to support them and their families.” He believes that whites are dehumanizing blacks and this is not what God intended because in his eyes all men are created equally.
Post a Comment