Henderson 1

Alyssa Henderson

POLS 1100

David Hubert

May 20th, 2019

Critical Reading and Reflecting Assignment: Abolitionist Rhetoric

Instructions: Read the documents for this assignment. Write your answers to the following questions right

on this document, replacing the text I have below each question, but keeping the question itself. Save the

file as Abolitionist Rhetoric Jill Smith, with your name replacing Jill Smith’s. Turn it in via the

assignment tool in Canvas.

1. Who is the primary audience for each of the documents?

The first document is a letter addressed to Thomas Jefferson written by Benjamin Banneker.

The second document is a speech addressed to “Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens” given by

Frederick Douglass. The speech is directed towards those celebrating the Fourth of July.

2. Explain and illustrate how the nature of the primary audience shaped the form and language the

authors used?

In the first document that was addressed to Thomas Jefferson, I noticed that Benjamin Banneker wrote

eloquently and in a respectful tone while still firmly addressing his point. I think this way of writing was

purposefully formed this way since he was speaking to a highly respected and important person in the

eyes of many. I think he wanted Jefferson to read his letter and give him a chance, if he would have

forcefully addressed the letter with anger and negativity, I don’t think it would have had as much of a
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chance for Jefferson to take it seriously. A small example of this is how he addressed him as “sir”

throughout the letter and addressed one of Jefferson’s own principles; all men are created equal.

In the second document, there is more of a harsh and firm tone. You can feel Frederick Douglass’ strong

emotions on this subject, and I think that is because he is speaking for a Fourth of July celebration. The

primary audience here was much larger, and all were celebrating this holiday. His tone is more emotional

due to the many celebrating when he is mourning. “This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine. You may

rejoice, I must mourn.”

3. What is the thesis or main point of the documents?

The main point of the first article was to address the newly adopted Bill of Rights. Benjamin challenged

Jefferson that the provided liberties excluded thousands of African slaves living in the United States. He

brings up Jefferson’s own words and questions him on his idea that God creates all men equal.

The main point of the second article is about the celebration of the Fourth of July, and what that means to

the Africans living in America. Specifically, that this holiday is for “them and not us.” In the beginning

he praises the celebration but soon addresses the American attitude towards slavery. I believe he gave this

speech to open the eyes to the major problems America has but also leaves room in saying that America is

young and is still capable of positive change.

4. What is the strongest evidence/reasoning used in the two documents? Why is it strong?

In the first document, Benjamin challenges Thomas Jefferson and his belief that blacks were uncapable of

intellectual ability. I really liked this argument because Benjamin himself was the strongest evidence. His

own achievements contradicted Jefferson’s belief, Benjamin was a free man with many achievements
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(stated before the letter) including being educated in astronomy and mathematics. This is strong evidence

because Benjamin writing the letter was living proof himself.

In the second document, I found that Douglass’ references to slavery not being “godly” and “divine” were

very strong reasonings to why slavery is inhumane. Pro-slavery argues that slavery is a part of a divine

plan. Douglass argues that anything inhumane and horrific like slavery is not at all “godly” or “divine.” I

think this argument is a great argument because much of his audience I assume are Christians, so this is

something they can relate too. I also like when he brings up how no one would be in favor of becoming a

slave themselves. It is interesting that some can impose this on others but not themselves.

5. What struck you as particularly powerful or illustrative turns of phrase in the documents? Why

were they powerful or illustrative?

Both these documents were very impactful towards me when reading them and got my emotions going. In

the first document, first and foremost, I was so impressed by Benjamin Banneker and him standing up

towards Thomas Jefferson as a black man. This was a daring move at the time, but he considered himself

the right person due to his freedom and many achievements like I have mentioned before. This was

powerful to me because he was standing up for his people and their freedoms as well and this had to take

a lot of bravery.

In the second document, I found it very powerful when Benjamin would state that to a slave this holiday

and celebration was a mockery. He continued painting a very real and harsh picture of slavery and it made

me take a step back and wonder why I celebrate this holiday myself and to put myself into the shoes of a

slave, I felt sick. He illustrated so well that I quickly could see where he was coming from and understood

why our celebration of liberty and equality seemed a mockery to American slaves. One of the most

powerful illustrative examples is when he explained how slaves would be transported at night to avoid
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people seeing the real cruelty of the trade and slaves being treated like animals. He went even further to

explain the haunting cries of chained slaves he remembered as a child and the effect it had on him.

6. Analyze the primary rhetorical appeal (Ethos, Logos, Pathos, or Kairos) of the documents.

Explain, and illustrate with quotes from the text.

 You can find examples of Ethos right as you begin reading the first document. Benjamin Banneker

is credible for what he is speaking on because he is a black man himself, specifically an ex-slave.

Here is a text example of him illustrating his race, “..and the almost general prejudice and

prepossession which is so prevailent in the world against those of my complexion.”

 Logos is also used throughout the document often, persuading his argument based on evidence he

provides. An example of Logos would be, “I now confess to you, that I am not under that State of

tyrannical thraldom, and inhuman captivity, to which too many of my brethren are doomed; but

that I have abundantly tasted of the fruition of those blessings which proceed from that free and

unequalled liberty with which you are favoured ..” Here Benjamin uses evidence of his freedom

and accomplishments to persuade Thomas Jefferson and challenge his past statements.

 Benjamin also appeals to Pathos when he refers to Thomas Jefferson and other Americans who

have faced trials in order to gain their own freedom. Relating it back to him and others like him

facing slavery and fighting for their own freedom as well.

 I think Benjamin used Kairos as well. He decided to write this letter right after the newly adopted

Bill of Rights to challenge Jefferson on why him and others should be included.

 In the second document, Frederick Douglass clearly appeals to Ethos when he illustrates specific

memories as a slave himself. He is showing his credibility to speak on behalf of slaves since he
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was one himself. “I was born amid such sights and scenes. To me the American slave-trade is a

terrible reality. When a child, my soul was often pierced with a sense of its horrors.”

 Logos was also used through out the document. One of the parts that stuck out to me was when he

said this, “Is this the land your Fathers loved, The freedom which they toiled to win? Is this the

earth whereon they moved? Are these the graves they slumber in?” I think he used logic here to

question and persuade his audience to look at what reality is.

 The strongest appeal to Pathos in this document was when Douglass referred to a mother and child

relationship. He was appealing to the emotions of everyone, knowing that everyone in the

audience could relate to this example. He wanted make people feel upset and to start looking at

what was happening to innocent people. “See, too, that girl of thirteen, weeping, yes! weeping, as

she thinks of the mother from whom she has been torn!”

 Kairos was used because his subject fit perfectly with the date and occasion. He spoke about the

Fourth of July at a Fourth of July celebration.

7. Reflect on the pair of documents for this assignment. That is, examine your own thinking as you

consider them all together. Did they challenge your assumptions or expand your understanding?

Has your thinking been stretched by encountering these texts? How do the texts connect to other

things you’ve read, to the broader world, or to your own situation? How would you describe the

documents’ impact in a way that would excite other people to experience them as well? How do they

relate to our contemporary situation? Write about any or all of those things (or about other

cognitive reactions you had)—and for Goodness sake don’t be afraid to be vulnerable or to

elaborate!
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Reading the two documents assigned this week has expanded my understanding for sure. I think I am well

educated about slavery but hearing first count from ex-slaves, is so important on what they have to say. I

found it so inspiring and brave for both these men to address these important issues to their audiences. I

have not only learned more about the situation itself, but more importantly about the Americans who were

the audience to these men. I think these texts connected to other things I have read in the reality of the

horrors happening, but it was interesting to see them standing up to people like Thomas Jefferson. I read

more into his reply and found his history very interesting. At times, I thought he was wanting to help and

wasn’t racist but soon learned he still believed to be superior to them, as well as own hundreds of slaves

himself. I also would love my friends and family to read these documents and have an experience like

mine. I would share how it has opened my eyes specifically about the celebration of the Fourth of July. I

think when July rolls around, I will share the second document on Facebook. I think they both illustrated

very well the experience of slaves which was obviously unsettling and emotional for me, but I think

important for everyone to constantly be reminded of. I cannot imagine living in a time like that and still

find myself amazed at how it was not even very long ago. These stories of ex-slave’s taking a stand and

speaking about what needs to be discussed is so admirable. I don’t know if I would do what they did when

put into their situation. I also find it so hard for me to understand how all these Americans just stood

around and did nothing about it. To even go as far as saying it is in God’s “divine plan!” Unbelievable.

Who could ever believe and trust in a God who believes in such inhumane practices? These documents

have inspired me to continue searching out more alike stories. I would love to hear about the people who

were standing against slavery, making a stand and speaking their voice. I want to see more of the activism

that eventually ended slavery, a small step forward but a whole lot more to overcome.