In this unit you have read writings by three people who lived at a time when the idea of human equality was widely discussed but who nevertheless experienced enslavement or belonged to families who experienced enslavement: Benjamin Banneker, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Wheatley. What critique of the treatment of enslaved people does each writer present, and in what form of writing does he or she present the critique?

To understand the critique presented by each writer concerning the treatment of enslaved people, we need to analyze the writings of Benjamin Banneker, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Wheatley. Each writer expresses their thoughts and experiences in a unique form of writing, which adds further depth to their critiques.

1. Benjamin Banneker: Banneker was an African American mathematician, astronomer, and writer who lived during the late 18th century. He primarily communicated his critique of slavery in the form of letters. One notable example is his letter to Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, in 1791. In this letter, Banneker argues against the hypocrisy of Jefferson's advocacy for liberty and equality while owning slaves. Banneker highlights the contradiction between the ideals of the American Revolution and the continued enslavement of African Americans. Through his letter, Banneker challenges the moral integrity of those who supported slavery, emphasizing the inherent injustice and inequality of the institution.

2. Olaudah Equiano: Equiano was a prominent African writer and abolitionist who was born in Nigeria, captured into slavery as a child, and eventually gained his freedom. His critique of the treatment of enslaved people is depicted in his autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano" (1789). Equiano vividly recounts the horrors of the Middle Passage, the brutal conditions enslaved Africans endured, and the dehumanization inflicted upon them. His narrative exposes the violence, exploitation, and degradation faced by enslaved people within the transatlantic slave trade. Equiano's aim is to raise awareness about the injustices of slavery and to advocate for its abolition.

3. Phillis Wheatley: Wheatley was an enslaved African American poet who lived during the 18th century. Her critique of the treatment of enslaved people manifests in her poetry. Wheatley's poems, such as "On Being Brought from Africa to America," express her perspective as a former slave who had achieved literary acclaim. Through her poems, Wheatley challenges the prevalent racist belief systems of her time, presenting enslaved Africans as intelligent and capable of attaining intellectual and artistic greatness. She highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim Christian values yet support the enslavement and mistreatment of fellow human beings. Wheatley's poetry provides a powerful critique by employing her words to transcend the societal barriers imposed upon her.

In summary, Benjamin Banneker utilized letters, Olaudah Equiano wrote an autobiography, and Phillis Wheatley expressed her critique through poetry. Each writer effectively addressed the treatment of enslaved people, exposing the contradictions between the ideas of equality and liberty and the harsh realities of slavery.

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you have read writings by three people who lived at a time when the idea of human equality was widely discussed but who nevertheless experienced enslavement or belonged to families who experienced enslavement: Benjamin Banneker, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Wheatley. What critique of the treatment of enslaved people does each writer present, and in what form of writing does he or she present the critique?

You've read those writings, haven't you? What does each writer say about slaves?

A man chooses and a slave obeys

Who wrote that?