ESSAY

David Walker's Appeal

David Walker's Appeal

Introduction

In this paper, I will analyze the pamphlet published by David Walker in 1829 in which he appealed to colored citizens of the world, focusing more on United States. Walker was an active member of abolition movement, famous for his pamphlet by the name of Walker's Appeal, in which he called for the liberation of black slaves. He emphasized the use of disobedience as a useful strategy to force the white masters to free them.

I will connect the pamphlet of David Walker with my own thesis, where I will discuss the sociological and cultural factors prevalent at the time, and how that affected the African Americans. The white and black Americans, despite having the same religion were treated differently. This speech will be connected with the historical contexts of that time, in order to determine the social and cultural aspects of African Americans, which will ascertain the need for writing the pamphlet.

Walker's Appeal and Historical Context

Regardless of the concept that he was free, Walker saw the brutality of servitude all around his growing years, while he was living in North Carolina. As an experienced individual, he departed from the South and ventured to other parts of the country, finally settling in Boston, where he started a clothing store in the waterfront region. He tried to captivate standard philosophical establishment for rebellion. During this time, he was responsible for distributing the Freedom's diary, a weekly newspaper, based in New York. The main theme of the newspaper was the suffering and inequality of the black Americans, and how to raise voice against it. His writings and publications were banned in a few states, which played a significant role in beginning revolts, along with some escapes.

While living in Boston, he established links with the black activists of that time, and started to write and talk against the subjugation of African Americans. He wrote several articles for a daily newspaper by the name of Freedom's Journal, which was situated in New York City. He also joined the Massachusetts General Colored Association in 1828, which was established in 1826.

Walker narrates an incident where he was confronted a minister who told the black people that they should be obedient to their masters. He argues that Gospel preaches peace and not whips. The preachers who teach submission to masters are pretended preachers. The papers which publish articles against slavery is considered far more dangerous than any other evil practiced in the country. His tone in his writing was straightforward and fiery, and he warned the Americans that unless they change their course, they will face a calamity and the country will be washed from the face of the earth. In Boston, prejudice against black people was the norm, and even in the Churhes, there were different places for the reception of black Americans. Blacks had to sit away from the whites and sometimes even refrained from entering Churches. Missionaries are being sent to different places, but no consideration is made towards ...