An insider from the American Anti-Slavery Society speaks out through his piece “Declaration of Sentiments” in 1833 to give light into how this Society thinks and feels about slavery. The author is arguing the case that slaves, in all respects, should be free because it is morally and ethically wrong for a person to own or have control over another. He argued that people of color should be given the same rights as any person, the same privileges to live and enjoy life, to be free and be respected as an equal. The author uses a lot of pathos for his arguments, pulling emotion out of examples of certain circumstances people underwent such as: hunger, being cut off from family members, beaten and forced into slavery. He uses descriptions that draw out emotion so that one can empathize with how these people are being treated. The author uses logos throughout the examples he gives to his audience as to how these slaves are treated. He also uses biblical examples to support his dispute that slavery is not permissible for the American Christian. He claims scripture says every man who claims ownership over another as property is a ‘man-stealer’. His character comes out boldly in ethos matter as he is beginning to end his claim he gives his own reasons, and those of others opinions as to why slaves should go free in an almost poetic manner. He places value on slaves as real people, not as property to be sold, and says these men and women should be given the right to earn wages.
I would think that in the time this document was written, it was merely the beginning of Americas division on slavery. Many people were accustomed to having and owning slaves, it was a way of life. Thinking that it was over 100 years later that Martin Luther King were to come and make his stance, this was controversial in and of itself in 1833. It was relevant for others to start questioning their motives and looking at slavery in a different perspective. In that year, Britain had passed the Slavery Abolition Act which banned slavery in all of Britain. It was important for the American Anti-Slavery Society to get their ideas and opinions out to see if the same change could happen in the United States.
I agree with the author, and I do find him convincing. Although, I would have to say I am bias because the way he present his argument would be similar as to how I would present mine. He might have used more of a logos approach, maybe from studies or statistics to support his statements to make an even stronger case. He used a lot of pathos, which could be considered an opinion of the author in some circumstances so he was probably contested for it. Over all, I do think he made good points about how no person should have to undergo such treatment on the account of others. People should be given the same rights whether white, black or any color.
I, along with you Mercedes, and the author agree. I, too am biased with the way Lawrence stated his argument. I love how he used the Declaration of sentiments to show that women and African Americans were in the same situation as they both were powerless against the white man and had no rights at all. I like how he mentions that they used the bible to justify slavery, which I find to be extremely ridiculous and unethical. All in all I agree with Lawrence's writing and your post. Whether the race or gender we should all have the right to live on this earth with the equal amount of rights.
ReplyDeleteUnless I am mistaken, I thought that William Lloyd Garrison wrote the declaration?
ReplyDeleteThis document was a sensational argument against slavery. Like you said, I completely agree that The Declaration of Sentients was ahead of it's time, as well as incredibly courageous. A century before their dreams were achieved, these authors were making demands that would certainly cause turbulence. Yet they wrote with ferocious clarity, irrefutable evidence, and abandon to all sense of Southern social grace. Calling it "the crime of having a dark complexion" (p.211), the authors support the idea that one should not be judged by the color of their skin--an argument also made by famous Martin Luther King Jr one hundred years later.
ReplyDeleteThe authors of this document used immensely powerful arguments. I was amazed at the aggressive, sophisticated language--creating a credible and reliable feel to the argument. It was bold and passionate, filled with calls for compassion and facts from the census and constitution. My favorite line in the document is "freeing the slave...is not wronging the master, but righting the slave" (p.212) because of it's bold and truthful contradiction to the idea Southerners held.
While I unconditionally believe with the authors, throughout reading, I tried to imagine a defense for the Southern slave holders. I agree with you that the pathos used could be received and rebutted as an opinion. Another contradiction some might make would be that not all slave holders were as atrocious as others. I understand the struggle families must have had when faced with having to discharge their main source of money. For many, slaves generated a majority of their family's income. I believe it is important to understand this side of the argument. However, even as a slave holder, I would find it difficult to deny the truths in the Declaration.