An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America
An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America is an appeal to black slaves first presented at the Buffalo National Convention in 1843. Its author, Henry Highland Garnet, was a social and religious leader, abolitionist, and orator. At the end of his life, he taught at a college in Pennsylvania and became the US Ambassador to Liberia, which illustrates his authority as a speaker. Thus, he turns to his people with a suggestion to realize their divine right to freedom and equality. The main point expressed in the appeal is the assumption that the white oppressors would not be able to harm the slaves more than they already did. Even death, according to Garnet, is not nearly as dire compared to the forced labor and exploitation imposed on blacks. He argues that numerous leaders have already achieved freedom through suffering, however, ensuring the prosperity of their fellows. The author notes that his address was rejected by the audience of the Convention, as they considered it as a calling for an armed uprising. The Address is an important document illustrating discrimination against black slavery problems.
A Petition of Absalom Jones and Others
Many people have sought to use the right provided by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and write a letter to Congress about issues of concern to them. A Petition of Absalom Jones and Others is a petition signed by seventy-three black people of Philadelphia and sent to Congress in 1799. The author is Absolom Jones, an African American Church priest, and leader of the Philadelphia abolitionist movement. He was elected the first African American priest of the United States Episcopal Church, which illustrates his authority. In the document, the author also refers to the divine right to freedom of all people and equality. He also addresses the authorities with respect and invites them to examine the issue without requiring immediate action. The main point to which Jones appeals is the injustice that slavers can kidnap free blacks with impunity and return them to slavery, according to the Fugitive bill. To support his claim, he argues that the slave trade still exists, which contradicts the foundations of liberty proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? is a speech by Frederick Douglass addressed to the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society, delivered on July 5, 1852, at Corinthian Hall. The speech was written by an abolitionist, writer, and speaker, leader of the black liberation movement. Douglass’s main point is that the formation of the United States did nothing for black slaves. He argues that people of color do not have equal rights in the state, despite the fact that they are called men. He also emphasizes that the Christian Church supports slavery, while freedom is an innate right for all. Douglass urges his audience to recognize the need and the possibility of change since the United States, while proclaiming liberty and equality, is hypocritical about blacks. The author emphasizes the positive aspects of the liberal legislation, however, excluding the presence of an advantage for the oppressed part of the population. The speech, thus, notes the exclusive position of whites in the new state, whose law ignores the rights of black slaves, despite the rights of the entire population enshrined in the Constitution.
References
Douglass, Frederick. “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Speech, Rochester, July 5, 1852.
Garnet, Henry H. “An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America.” Electronic Texts in American Studies, no. 8 (1843): 1-10.
Jones, Absalom. “A Petition of Absalom Jones and Others” petition, 1799.