3 Matching Annotations
  1. Sep 2023
    1. We, and the world wish to see the Page 18 charges of Mr. Jefferson refuted by the blacks themselves, according to their chance; for we must remember that what the whites have written respecting this subject, is other men's labours, and did not emanate from the blacks. I know well, that there are some talents and learning among the coloured people of this country, which we have not a chance to develope, in consequence of oppression; but our oppression ought not to hinder us from acquiring all we can. For we will have a chance to develope them by and by. God will not suffer us, always to be oppressed. Our sufferings will come to an end, in spite of all the Americans this side of eternity. Then we will want all the learning and talents among ourselves, and perhaps more, to govern ourselves.--"Every dog must have its day," the American's is coming to an end.

      Here the author stresses that it's essential for people of color to challenge Mr. Jefferson's claims themselves. They believe that the writings on this topic, that are mainly authored by white individuals, don't truly represent the thoughts of black people. Despite the limited access to education and opportunities they face, Walker encourages acquiring knowledge.

    2. O! that the coloured people were long since of Moses' excellent disposition, instead of courting favour with, and telling news and lies to our natural enemies, against each other--aiding them to keep their hellish chains of slavery upon us. Would we not long before this time, have been respectable men, instead of such wretched victims of oppression as we are? Would they be able to drag our mothers, our fathers, our wives, our children and ourselves, around the world in chains and hand-cuffs as they do, to dig up gold and silver for them and theirs? This question, my brethren, I leave for you to digest; and may God Almighty force it home to your hearts. Remember that unless you are united, keeping your tongues within your teeth, you will be afraid to trust your secrets to each other, and thus perpetuate our miseries under the Christians ! ! ! ! !

      The author expresses distaste and sorrow over "coloured people" trying to win favor with their oppressors by spreading false info that helps to keep the system of slavery alive. He asks a rhetorical question: What if people of color had opted for unity instead of division?

    3. It is not to be understood here, that I mean for us to wait until God shall take us by the hair of our heads and drag us out of abject wretchedness and slavery, nor do I mean to convey the idea for us to wait until our enemies shall make preparations, and call us to seize those preparations, take it away from them, and put every thing before us to death, in order to gain our freedom which God has given us. For you must remember that we are men as well as they.

      Here the author emphasizes a proactive approach to seeking freedom and justice. He rejects the idea of submitting to oppression and tyranny by underlining the shared humanity of the enslaved and their oppressors.