David Walker's Appeal

Q1.

According to Walker, the Christian Americans dehumanized the people of color and called them beasts of burden (Hinks, 2010). The slaves and people of color were denied educational opportunities and they were also restricted from participating in social and political activities.  For example, throughout the American Republic, there was no colored President, a Governor, or any government officials but rather, people of color held low offices of the Constable (Hinks, 2010). The White Christians also prohibited the people of color from marrying whites. The people of color did not own property even a barren land but they worked day and night and they got paid little money. They used the money to purchase a small piece of land but later a white man would come and drive out the owner of the land (Hinks, 2010). The people of color experienced insupportable insult from whites. The white Christians insulted them by telling that they are descendants of Monkeys, they are inferior both in their bodies and minds, and they are unfortunate.

However, despite these afflictions and sufferings, Walker's views about God were that the Lord lives, he rules in heaven and on earth, he hears the cries and tears of the oppressed, and he is just and holy (Hinks, 2010). Concerning slavery, Walkers believed that God will one day act on behalf of the oppressed and arrest the oppressors. God will bring destructions upon the oppressors and make them fights against themselves (Hinks, 2010). Their unity and happiness will be destroyed and conflict will emerge from political usurpers. On the other hand, the oppressed and their children will rise up and live happily and comfortably. 

Q2.

According to Walker, Slavery was the source from which the miseries progressed in that terror and devastation spread out throughout the nations. Today, countries such as Spain, Portugal, France, and of course the United Stets enjoyed the labor of the slaves (Hinks, 2010).  In particular, the American people practiced slavery and they were completely satisfied to see the people of color and their children under misery. Walker and the other free African America were affected in that they survived in the midst of slavery and this means that their freedom was minimal. They could not express themselves concerning slavery and this means that they experienced slavery and lived under discriminatory laws. Even though they had the opportunity to live in urban centers and enjoyed economic opportunities, they were kidnapped, they were denied voting rights, and freedom of movement, and experienced other wretched practices and threats of slavery (Hinks, 2010). Another important thing to note is that slavery affected slaves in that they could not marry whites, they suffered from unpaid labor, they could not participate in political practices, and they could not enjoy any form of freedom (Hinks, 2010). African American families were severely affected in that the families separated and father, mother, and children could live in separate places due to enslavement.

Q3.

Walker makes an appeal to the men of color and tells them that they should enlighten the White people and act to show them that they are free and happy. Rather than showing the white that they are inferior and of the lowest kind, they should rise up and go to Southern and Western regions and give evidence that they are no longer slaves (Hinks, 2010). They should proclaim their freedom and happiness. Walker also advised that people of color to accept their poverty and marginality and be thankful to God and believe that there will be higher attainments in the future (Hinks, 2010). The people of color should prove to the Americans that they are ‘MEN' and enlighten their mind for them to understand that indeed the people of color have achieved freedom.

Q4.

Walker sees the white Christians of America as the enemies of African Americans as they were pretenders to Christianity. For example, Walker uses religion to show that it is the only element that can bring union and freedom, but Christians were the major oppressors (Hinks, 2010). Thus, Walker says that Christians Americans treated people of color like brutes and they acted as hypocrites in that rather than teaching people the word of God, they violated it.  On the other hand, Walker sees free blacks as the allies of African Americans (Hinks, 2010). The free blacks in the free African populations engaged in forceful rescues and helped the slaves find their freedom.  Showed their manpower and battled for abolition.

Q5.

Concerning the future of the U.S, Walker says that in the future, the African Americans will come out of the cruel and tyrannical government and the U.S will become humble.  God will put them down and they will never treat the people of color as brutes.  In projecting such a future, Walker justifies his reasoning by asserting that the U.S was affected by the great powers of Great Britain (Hinks, 2010). During the war, the U.S encountered costly defeats but at the end of the war, the U.S overpowered the enemies and developed national confidence. Walker states that the African Americans are suffering the way America suffered under the powers but in the future, the people of color will overpower the murderous government and have a secured future.

 

 

 

Reference

Hinks P. Peter. (2010). David Walker’s Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World. Penn

State Press