the speech "why sit here and die"
was written by Maria W. Stewart. Take some time to learn about Stewart by taking a few minutes to research her online. How may her experiences influence her writing? What may be her purpose?
Maria W. Stewart was an African American writer, lecturer, and abolitionist who lived during the early 19th century. She was born in 1803 and grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. As an African American woman, Stewart faced numerous challenges and experiences that influenced her writing and activism.
One significant experience that likely influenced Stewart's writing was her firsthand experience with slavery. She was born free, but her parents had been enslaved. She witnessed the brutality and injustice of slavery, and this likely fueled her passion for advocating for the abolition of slavery.
Stewart also faced racial and gender discrimination during her lifetime. As an African American woman in a predominantly white and male-dominated society, she experienced significant marginalization and limited opportunities. This likely motivated her to address issues of racial and gender inequality in her writing and speeches.
Stewart's purpose in writing the speech "Why Sit Here and Die" was to challenge African Americans to rise above their circumstances and strive for education, self-improvement, and self-reliance. She urged her audience to resist oppression and to not settle for a life of subjugation and despair. In her speech, Stewart emphasized the importance of education, economic independence, and spiritual upliftment as the means for African Americans to gain respect and equality in society.
Overall, Maria W. Stewart's experiences of slavery, racial discrimination, and gender bias greatly influenced her writing, leading her to become an influential voice in the fight against slavery and for the rights of African Americans and women during a time when their voices were often marginalized and ignored.