Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Nat Turner
November 10, 1831
Southampton, Virginia
Hello, reader. My name is Nat Turner and I am writing this to express my beliefs before I die tomorrow. I cannot escape my fate, for the white man will not let me. I am destined to be hung tomorrow, but I feel I am dying for an important cause. Although I am only 31, I have accomplished far more than many elderly men, especially for a black slave. I am here in jail because of the slave rebellion I started in August. It all started when I became a slave at the age of 12. My father had already run away long ago, which left an empty place in my heart and my mind. Being a slave meant going through rigorous and seemingly never-ending work, all so some lazy white man could have a little bit easier life. For years I worked for my master as a seemingly trustworthy slave, even though inside it was like there was a volcano of fury in mid-eruption. Eventually, I could not take it anymore. I broke free from the burning shackles of unrewarded servitude, ran away, and became a fugitive. However, I had to go back for my slave brethren, for I received a message from God himself. He told me that I had to go back for them, for it was my divine purpose to rescue them.
After my vision, I rushed back to my old plantation; I had to free my brothers. I arrived on the porch of my “owner” and turned myself in. He was so surprised, he did not even punish me, well at least if working your fingers to the bone every day for somebody else like every slave had to wasn’t considered punishment. The other slaves were confused about why I came back, but I would reveal why soon. I spent my days plotting and planning secretly, sharing everything with my wife, Cherry. After a few years of work, in 1822 to be exact, the plantation owner, Samuel Turner died, meaning the slaves would be appraised and sold. My mother, my wife, and my kids were all sold away from me, leaving me with a heart more bruised than my swollen arms. Luckily, my wife and children were still close to me, although it was not the same. I was tired of this injustice. Something needed to be done!
As I worked for years under my new owner, I kept up with my plans and started secretly rallying the slaves together. Finally, in August, 1831, my rallied army of 75 other slaves and I charged the plantation, killing all white people in sight. We had waited many long, brutal years and if they wouldn’t let us be free, we had to take our freedom by force! We killed 57 white people that day, no matter what their sex or age was. After the rebellion, I knew I had to run. I hid in the woods and swamps for two months, until I was betrayed by my own. My guess is that the white beasts that call themselves humane tortured one of my brother slaves until they blurted out my location. I was sent to jail to wait for my trial. There I wrote my Confessions, almost a diary of my life. I was sent to court on November 5, and found guilty. I will be hung tomorrow, and I can’t help thinking how unfair this is. If it was a white man being forced into slavery, millions would try to abolish it. If a white slave rebelled, it would be considered the right choice for the greater good, and slavery is wrong. But that is because they are human, and we are not. Our skin is a darker pigment, therefore meaning we are some sort of twisted human-like species that is only good for doing work. We have the same capabilities as white people, but none of the privileges. As I write my last composition before my death, I can’t help but think, will there ever be a time when we will be thought of as equal humans? How much will we have to do to get there? Well, as long as we stick together, and fight for our rights using all the fire in our hearts, I hope we can succeed. That is my final prayer.
Citations
Bisson, Terry. "'A Slave's Dream'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,
(accessed February 8, 2009).
Bisson, Terry. "'The First War'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,(accessed February 8, 2009).
Watts, Linda S. "Turner, Nat." Encyclopedia of American Folklore. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. African-American History Online. Facts On File,
(accessed February 8, 2009).
"Nat Turner's Rebellion." African-American History Online. Facts On File,(accessed February 8, 2009).
Bisson, Terry. "'Nat Turner's Legacy'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,
(accessed February 8, 2009).
February 9, 2009 3:48 PM
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Southampton, Virginia
Hello, reader. My name is Nat Turner and I am writing this to express my beliefs before I die tomorrow. I cannot escape my fate, for the white man will not let me. I am destined to be hung tomorrow, but I feel I am dying for an important cause. Although I am only 31, I have accomplished far more than many elderly men, especially for a black slave. I am here in jail because of the slave rebellion I started in August. It all started when I became a slave at the age of 12. My father had already run away long ago, which left an empty place in my heart and my mind. Being a slave meant going through rigorous and seemingly never-ending work, all so some lazy white man could have a little bit easier life. For years I worked for my master as a seemingly trustworthy slave, even though inside it was like there was a volcano of fury in mid-eruption. Eventually, I could not take it anymore. I broke free from the burning shackles of unrewarded servitude, ran away, and became a fugitive. However, I had to go back for my slave brethren, for I received a message from God himself. He told me that I had to go back for them, for it was my divine purpose to rescue them.
After my vision, I rushed back to my old plantation; I had to free my brothers. I arrived on the porch of my “owner” and turned myself in. He was so surprised, he did not even punish me, well at least if working your fingers to the bone every day for somebody else like every slave had to wasn’t considered punishment. The other slaves were confused about why I came back, but I would reveal why soon. I spent my days plotting and planning secretly, sharing everything with my wife, Cherry. After a few years of work, in 1822 to be exact, the plantation owner, Samuel Turner died, meaning the slaves would be appraised and sold. My mother, my wife, and my kids were all sold away from me, leaving me with a heart more bruised than my swollen arms. Luckily, my wife and children were still close to me, although it was not the same. I was tired of this injustice. Something needed to be done!
As I worked for years under my new owner, I kept up with my plans and started secretly rallying the slaves together. Finally, in August, 1831, my rallied army of 75 other slaves and I charged the plantation, killing all white people in sight. We had waited many long, brutal years and if they wouldn’t let us be free, we had to take our freedom by force! We killed 57 white people that day, no matter what their sex or age was. After the rebellion, I knew I had to run. I hid in the woods and swamps for two months, until I was betrayed by my own. My guess is that the white beasts that call themselves humane tortured one of my brother slaves until they blurted out my location. I was sent to jail to wait for my trial. There I wrote my Confessions, almost a diary of my life. I was sent to court on November 5, and found guilty. I will be hung tomorrow, and I can’t help thinking how unfair this is. If it was a white man being forced into slavery, millions would try to abolish it. If a white slave rebelled, it would be considered the right choice for the greater good, and slavery is wrong. But that is because they are human, and we are not. Our skin is a darker pigment, therefore meaning we are some sort of twisted human-like species that is only good for doing work. We have the same capabilities as white people, but none of the privileges. As I write my last composition before my death, I can’t help but think, will there ever be a time when we will be thought of as equal humans? How much will we have to do to get there? Well, as long as we stick together, and fight for our rights using all the fire in our hearts, I hope we can succeed. That is my final prayer.
Citations
Bisson, Terry. "'A Slave's Dream'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,
(accessed February 8, 2009).
Bisson, Terry. "'The First War'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,(accessed February 8, 2009).
Watts, Linda S. "Turner, Nat." Encyclopedia of American Folklore. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. African-American History Online. Facts On File,
(accessed February 8, 2009).
"Nat Turner's Rebellion." African-American History Online. Facts On File,(accessed February 8, 2009).
Bisson, Terry. "'Nat Turner's Legacy'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,
(accessed February 8, 2009).
February 9, 2009 3:48 PM
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Monday, February 2, 2009
Slave
October 16, 1788
London, England
Upon hearing about Parliament’s debate over the slave trade, I felt compelled to do my part to help bring about an end to this barbaric practice. I was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Africa at age eleven. Eventually I found my way onto a slave ship to the West Indies. As much as 50% of my fellow passengers die on these ships each horrific trip that they make across the Atlantic and the brutality suffered by those who actually arrive at their destination is beyond belief. While in the West Indies, I witnessed countless acts of viciousness, and I found it hard to tolerate and well as understand the behavior of these purported “god-fearing” Christian men. All of their behavior seemed to contradict their religious teaching, yet it was although to them there was no conflict between the two because of their view that we were somehow not like them and did not deserve to be treated as a fellow human-being.
Next, I spent a short time in Virginia, and was sold to British Naval Officer and served as a crewman on his ship for many years, traveling all over the world. Yet, although I traveled from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia, and North Carolina to Scotland, I was never free until I purchased my freedom on July 10, 1766. Afterwards, I remained on the ship for a time, enjoying my freedom and exploring my new found independence. I then felt compelled to return to England where I married and started a family. Here, as a survivor of the slave trade and one of the fortunate few who was able to escape its stranglehold, I have focused my efforts on the Abolitionist Movement.
This movement seems to naturally relate to the ideas of democracy and equality among all men that the Americans only recently expressed in The Declaration of Independence and Constitution. These documents express the ideas that “all men are endowed by their creator by certain inalienable rights” and that it is the government’s job to protect these rights and “establish justice” for all men. Although the Americans preach these ideals, I have not seen them extended to African Americans, Native Americans, or even women. It is strange that they can so fervently desire freedom and independence, yet cannot appreciate the pain and suffering that they are causing to those that they have enslaved. Although the American government has failed up to this point to extend the same rights to African Americans, that we fought and died for alongside those that enjoy them because of our sacrifice, you can right that wrong. Acknowledge the cruelty and depravity of the slave trade and bring an end to it in England.
-Olaudah Equiano
London, England
Upon hearing about Parliament’s debate over the slave trade, I felt compelled to do my part to help bring about an end to this barbaric practice. I was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Africa at age eleven. Eventually I found my way onto a slave ship to the West Indies. As much as 50% of my fellow passengers die on these ships each horrific trip that they make across the Atlantic and the brutality suffered by those who actually arrive at their destination is beyond belief. While in the West Indies, I witnessed countless acts of viciousness, and I found it hard to tolerate and well as understand the behavior of these purported “god-fearing” Christian men. All of their behavior seemed to contradict their religious teaching, yet it was although to them there was no conflict between the two because of their view that we were somehow not like them and did not deserve to be treated as a fellow human-being.
Next, I spent a short time in Virginia, and was sold to British Naval Officer and served as a crewman on his ship for many years, traveling all over the world. Yet, although I traveled from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia, and North Carolina to Scotland, I was never free until I purchased my freedom on July 10, 1766. Afterwards, I remained on the ship for a time, enjoying my freedom and exploring my new found independence. I then felt compelled to return to England where I married and started a family. Here, as a survivor of the slave trade and one of the fortunate few who was able to escape its stranglehold, I have focused my efforts on the Abolitionist Movement.
This movement seems to naturally relate to the ideas of democracy and equality among all men that the Americans only recently expressed in The Declaration of Independence and Constitution. These documents express the ideas that “all men are endowed by their creator by certain inalienable rights” and that it is the government’s job to protect these rights and “establish justice” for all men. Although the Americans preach these ideals, I have not seen them extended to African Americans, Native Americans, or even women. It is strange that they can so fervently desire freedom and independence, yet cannot appreciate the pain and suffering that they are causing to those that they have enslaved. Although the American government has failed up to this point to extend the same rights to African Americans, that we fought and died for alongside those that enjoy them because of our sacrifice, you can right that wrong. Acknowledge the cruelty and depravity of the slave trade and bring an end to it in England.
-Olaudah Equiano
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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