Black Social Thought and the Nineteenth Century, Essay Example

During the first half of the nineteenth century, black social thought began to change and uplift through the work of African American leaders. The African American people were brought to the Unites States as slaves. The people had no personal or social rights and their days were controlled by their slaveholders. ¹ Courageous individuals began to stand up for the rights and become the leaders who would advocate for their rights and educate other blacks to strive for equality, but not without a struggle. ² The movement in the uplift of black social thought and equality prompted incorrigible actions amongst the white people in eastern United States cities, such as Pittsburgh, Boston, and Philadelphia. White people were not so eager to cooperate with these new ideas and violence against the black community occurred. The gain of the beginnings of acceptance with the black equal movements was therefore dependent on activists and their representation of freedom and equality, which further initiated abolitionism. ²

There were several black activists that placed a role in the freedom and equality for blacks during the early nineteenth century. The first known activist was Gabriel Prosser. He formed a revolution that was to revolt against the whites; however, flooding from a storm destroyed his plans the night before the revolution resulting in his plan being known. ³ This was, however, the beginning of the road to abolitionism as well as the beginning of many more black activists. Another activist during the first part of the nineteenth century was David Walker. Walker wrote a book on equality, “An Appeal…to the Colored Citizens of the World” in 1829. Walker used religious teachings from the Bible to try and teach the white people about the wrong doings of slavery and justice for all. Walker’s words commenced the national convention in Philadelphia in 1830. Although delegates in Philadelphia did not support Walker, this was the beginning of a new era for black activists and their race for equality. Another activist, Nat Turner, slowed down the race for equality. He and a group of fellow black activists killed 55 white people, including woman and children. This rebellion led to the white people taking revenge as well and rejecting any sort of law forbidding slavery. In fact, the laws were increased for slaves, such that no blacks were allowed to learn to read. ²

There was absolutely a need for the increase in black social thought and the rise in activists for abolitionism. Ira Berlin wrote a poem in his book Many Thousand Gone, that summed up the need for change: “No more auction block for me, no more, no more, no more auction block for me, many thousand gone”. ³ The rise in activists, however, set forth violent acts committed by both the white and black groups in response to these reforms, setting back the goal of the black Americans, which was freedom and equality. Had it not been for the activists of the nineteenth century, however, the rise in abolitionism may have never occurred before the twentieth century. ¹

Endnotes

Kelley, R.D.G. and Lewis, E. (2000). To Make Our World Anew: A History of African Americans. Oxford University Press. New York. Pages 335-336. (2009). Chapter 11: Religion Reform 1820-1860.

Economic Revolution and Sectional Strife, 1820–1877. Pages 319-348. Page Number: 169

Berlin, I. (1998) Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America. Belknap Press. Cambridge, MA. Page Number: xii.