The Civil War is underway. Although, this is a terrible time for the country, hopefully the end of slavery is near. Two Years ago, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but there is still more work to be done in ensuring equal rights for the Negro in this country. In 1863 I wrote The Negro Man: His Antecedents, His Genius and His Achievements. I am proud of this work and time will prove that it is one of my finest. In this work I incorporate elements of African-American history into his arguments for freedom and equality. The Negro Man, and its incorporation of historically based arguments, can be traced back to my 1855 pamphlet I wrote about revolutions in Haiti. Titled St. Domingo: Its Revolutions and Its Patriots, this early work was the first time I used historical writing as a way to argue for reform in America. St. Domingo: Its Revolutions and Its Patriots was a warning to Americans as someone said in a review “that Negroes, like other human beings, not only desired freedom but would fight unto death to win and maintain it, and a reminder that a slave insurrection had actually succeeded” (Coleman 33).
Also, the Union Army has used a version of Clotel. The Army is distributing my book to troops in the field as a morale booster. Hopefully, by reading my book the troops will be energized to fight against the evil practice of slavery.
I have been able to make a good career as a writer. I have been very fortunate.
President Lincoln with Union soldier.
No comments:
Post a Comment