American History: David Walker and his Appeal to The Coulored Citizen

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David Walker and His Appeal “The lord shall raise-up coloured historians in succeeding generations, to present the crimes of this nation to the then gazing world.” David Walker was born in the confines of white America, but his vision expanded far beyond those limits. His view reached deep into the future of black people. From 1829 until his death in 1830, David Walker was the most controversial, and most admired black person in America. Walker believed in all manner of social relations in that self-reliance was most preferable rather than dependence on others. He felt that it is essential to self-determination. Walker argued that freedom was the highest human right ordained by God, in that African people should raise their voice in defense of their own interest and assume responsibility for speaking on behalf of their freedom. Hence, David Walker’s Appeal was born in 1829 (Turner 3). David Walker was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 28, 1785. His father was a slave and his mother a free woman. In North Carolina the law during slavery was if a newborn African mother was free, that child would also be free. This law made it so that every newborn African would be free, no matter the status of their fathers. This was very fortunate for David Walker and his life. His mother passed on to him her free status and she also raised him to have a great opposition towards slavery. It is said that his father had a passed away before he was born, or while he was a young boy. Walker witnessed the brutality and horrors of slavery directly during his travels all over the South. Experiencing this contributed to him wanting to fight against the institution of slavery and its inhumane ways. At the age of thirty years old he moved aw... ... middle of paper ... ...rt to our education as an essential touchstone to a critical understanding of our modern reality (Turner 11). David Walker’s Appeal influenced many throughout American history, especially those of African descent. His fight in the cause of justice for black people will never be buried. He is one of the most influential and controversial figures since the beginning of the United States. Works Cited Page Turner, James. David Walker’s Appeal: To the Coloured Citizens of the World, but in particular, and very expressly, to those of the United States of America. Baltimore, MD: Black Classic Press, Print. Sidbury, James. "David Walker's Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World." The Journal of Southern History 68.1 (Feb 2002): 164-165. History Study Center. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/634579/David-Walker

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