1.What is the author arguing?
The writings presented here are all persuasive pieces written to compel the listener to grant freed slaves the rights equal to those of whites. The Reverend Randall calls for the right of black couples to legally unite in marriage. John Dennis seeks to be reunited with his family and to be able to raise his children. The Black Residents of Nashville in their petition to The Union Convention of Tennessee focus upon their patriotic achievements and desire to live as fully recognized countrymen despite the tragic history of Africans and African Americans.
2. How does the author(s) appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos with their argument?
Each of the three writings uses the same main point of logic to make their appeal: All human beings have the right to live with the same rights as others.If society has acknowledged slavery as wrong, how can it not see the ongoing injustice of denying further, equal rights? The acts of patriotism shown in wartime along with the clear gratitude felt for their freedom reveal their readiness and willingness to participate as recognized citizens. The Black Residents of Nashville state in their petition “We will work, pray, live, and, if need be, die for the Union, as cheerfully as ever a white patriot died for his country.” The emotional expression found in these pieces would be conspicuous only in its absence. John Q.A. Dennis is motivated to write on behalf of his love of family and desire to be able to be a good family man. All three authors address the ethical wrongs of slavery, and the petitioners frame their plea within the analogy of family, “We love the Union by an instinct which is stronger than any argument or appeal which can be used against it. It is the attachment of a child to its parrent.(sic)”.
3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
These writings have significance in their own time and in respect our vantage point over 150 years later. In a nation borne from a struggle for independence, all evidence of and arguments given in the ongoing quest for equality are especially important. These writings show social progress through the merit of both the identity of their authors and the significance of their content. To look back at past struggles enables us to look forward with a wisened eye, and realize there is still much to do in the battle for equal rights for all Americans.
4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
As an American lucky enough to have been with the majority of my rights firmly established through no efforts of my own, I naturally find all arguments for freedoms to have merit. The overarching statement by these authors noting their previous contributions and deep desire to take on the responsibilities of equal citizenry is compelling because it combines pragmatism and emotion to promote the reader toward supporting their cause.
I agree that the author has taken pieces of literature that persuading the reader that the freed slaves desire and deserve equal rights. One thing that I felt strongly after reading the 3 documents was that they each displayed examples of how the African Americans were freed but still treated unequally and they were desperate to have equal rights so they could truly feel free. Each piece showed different aspects of how their lives were still affected by inequality.
ReplyDeleteI felt the author chose different documents that brought up quite different circumstances yet the bottom line of each of them were the same. I felt the author really appealed to the Emotional side of the reader, specifically with John Q.A’s letter he wrote. Any person with a child can really understand the pain he must be going through. Also In A.B Randall’s document I felt there was a emotional appeal there. Lastly in the 3rd document I feel there was a logical appeal with the Petition “to the Union Convention of Tennessee Assembled in the Capitol at Nashville” where they were seeking political and civil rights. The closing statement I felt was a good example of the logic behind the argument. “The government has asked the colored man to fight for its preservation and gladly he has done so. It can afford to trust him with a vote as safely as it has trusted him with a bayonet.”
I definitely agree with you when you say that the author used both logical and emotional appeal to persuade his reader. Reading the first document by John Q. A. Dennis, I was crying and ready to give the man and his children, the world. I just dont get why the white people who read these letters weren't persuaded as we are today and didn't want to help their fellow countrymen who fought and died in a war for America. It just makes no sense...How can you free all these slaves but still treat them like they're not free??
ReplyDeleteI agree with your take on the author’s argument being convincing, there is no doubt to me that I would have treated the slaves that fought along with me before with more rights after the Civil war and the huge death counts. The author’s great uses of emotion no question made his argument more palpable and made you feel the pain right along with him. As I’ve read many of these readings throughout the year I’ve seen how a great use of emotion helps to get a point across and this reading was another great example.
ReplyDeleteThese documents were definitely all convincing in showing what the meaning of freedom was to people. Dennis knew he deserved the right to raise his children and get his family back, and while he did not have the best writing skills, he wrote a letter with hopes of getting help to free the rest of his family. By Randall talking about colored people getting married, it showed another way they were trying to gain equal rights as whites. I found that all these documents were strong, and the petition rounded it out. The only thing blacks wanted to do in America was ultimately be free and equal to everyone else.
ReplyDeleteJust as the title of the excerpt states: The Meaning of Freedom. How should one express freedom? It’s easy to describe it into words in 2010: “the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints.” However, when these documents were written it was still mid 1860’s and the country was amidst change. Similar to other comments posted, I also felt indescribable emotion for the black society, yet I think that most are forgetting that it is not easy for people to accept change. Don’t overlook that the Southerners had just lost the war, not to mention their way of life. Everything they knew up until then was gone and the Southerners were expected to immediately understand their (blacks) way of life?
ReplyDeleteIn Document 1, I understand John Dennis’ plea for the reunion of his family, and the courage it took to write the Secretary of War. Yet even he (John) realized that Stanton may not be able to assist him. He stated, “if I can’t be permitted.” John was asking his children back; however I imagine to the slave owner the children were still considered property. Unfortunately there is no epilogue to read, but I think in 1864 to ask for government assistance in family reunions was too premature. Likewise in Document 2, the request to ask white citizens to accept and honor black marriages was untimely. Both of these circumstances (reunion/marriages) for Southerners were similar to a backhanded slap across the face.
It is not that I agree to the way the black society was treated in the mid 1860’s, it is just reasonable thought. How would you feel if you just lost loved ones in a war that your side lost, the country was in turmoil, your culture was upturned, and then you are expected overnight to accept everything as is? I think when evaluating history it is important to also put yourself in their (opposite side) shoes.
I agree that the authors used logic and emotion to explain that while black citizens were given freedom in name, they were still severely lacking some of the basic tenants of freedom that white citizens then, and now, hold to be pretty self-evident.
ReplyDeleteReading these pieces, it struck me that the only citizens really aware that blacks lacked any part of freedom were the abolitionists and the black citizens themselves. Everyone else seemed to think the ballot and losing the shackles of slavery were enough, but I'm sure if they had been on the other side of the coin, they would have raised as much of a fuss, if not more of a fuss, than the former slaves were raising themselves.