In 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson attempting to convince him to abolish slavery. Banneker uses tone, emotional appeal, and human rights to to persuade Jefferson to reconsider his tolerance of slavery in the South.
Banneker throughout his letter to Jefferson repeatedly uses a non-accusatory tone to mask his animosity towards Jefferson’s decision to keep slavery in the South. He uses “Sir” to show respect for Jefferson and his position as Secretary of State as well as appear educated and respectful. Banneker also acknowledges Jefferson’s knowledge on slavery by saying his,” “knowledge of the situation of my brethren is too extensive to need recital.” Banneker’s use of logical and emotional appeals creates sympathy in the reader as well as guilt to show the injustice of slavery in America. …show more content…
In the introduction of his letter he asks to Jefferson to remember the time when America was fighting for Independence against Britain.Banneker writes,” Sir, suffer1 me to recall to your mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a State of Servitude, look back I entreat you on the variety of dangers to which you were exposed; reflect on that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable, and in which even hope and fortitude wore the aspect of inability to the conflict and you cannot but be led to a serious and grateful sense of your miraculous and providential preservation;” He emphasizes the comparison between the oppression from the British and the white oppession of blacks happening in America because of slavery. Using this example, Banneker creates sympathy in his reade and cause a poweful comparison that Jefferson could relate
Banneker throughout his letter to Jefferson repeatedly uses a non-accusatory tone to mask his animosity towards Jefferson’s decision to keep slavery in the South. He uses “Sir” to show respect for Jefferson and his position as Secretary of State as well as appear educated and respectful. Banneker also acknowledges Jefferson’s knowledge on slavery by saying his,” “knowledge of the situation of my brethren is too extensive to need recital.” Banneker’s use of logical and emotional appeals creates sympathy in the reader as well as guilt to show the injustice of slavery in America. …show more content…
In the introduction of his letter he asks to Jefferson to remember the time when America was fighting for Independence against Britain.Banneker writes,” Sir, suffer1 me to recall to your mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the British Crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a State of Servitude, look back I entreat you on the variety of dangers to which you were exposed; reflect on that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable, and in which even hope and fortitude wore the aspect of inability to the conflict and you cannot but be led to a serious and grateful sense of your miraculous and providential preservation;” He emphasizes the comparison between the oppression from the British and the white oppession of blacks happening in America because of slavery. Using this example, Banneker creates sympathy in his reade and cause a poweful comparison that Jefferson could relate