Ca**andra Hayes - African American Lit Timeline 1700-1900 lyrics

Timeline 1700-1900 In the blues song “Just A Dream,” Big Bill Broonzy sings “I dreamed I had ten children/ And they all looked just like me.” Broonzy's longing for a family exemplifies a common theme in African American literature: the importance of the community. Although many African American writers applaud the individual and the spirit of the individual, often a community is also highly exalted because the community offers a platform for the individual to have a voice and an identity. The community, or a collective group of sympathetic people, allows individuals to open up a conversation in which they can tell their story and allow the stories of others to shape them. For instance, a speaker needs listeners in order to communicate an idea. In turn, listeners need a speaker to present ideas that will inspire and change them. Between 1700-1900, the theme of community is evident in both the content choices and the stylistic choices of the African American writers, and is also evident in the dialogue between literature and history. 1773: The Boston Tea Party occurs on December 16. *”Once I redemption neither sought nor knew./ Some view our sable with scornful eye;/ “Their colour is a diabolic die.”/ Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,/ May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.” – Phillis Wheatley, “On Being Brought from Africa to America” 1776: The Declaration of Independence is written. *”When God shall send his summons down,/ And number saints together,/ Blest angels chant, (triumphant sound)/ Come live with me for ever" - Jupiter Hammon, “An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley” 1830: A wave of revolutions sweep across European countries. *"Remember that unless you are united, keeping your tongues within your teeth, you will be afraid to trust your secrets to each other, and thus perpetuate our miseries under the Christians!!!!" – David Walker, Appeal in Four Articles; Together with a Preamble, to the Coloured Citizens of the World 1845: The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Dougla** is published. *”In 1822, Denmark Veazie, of South Carolina, formed a plan for the liberation of his fellowmen. In the whole history of human efforts to overthrow slavery, a more complicated and tremendous plan was never formed. He was betrayed by the treachery of his own people, and died a martyr to freedom.” – Henry Highland Garnet, “An Address to the Slaves of the United States” 1851: The first women's rights movement builds in the United States. *”I can carry as much as any man, and can eat as much too, if I can get it. I am as strong as any man that is now. As for intellect, all I can say is, if woman have a pint, and man a quart—why can't she have her little pint full? You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much, -- for we can't take more than our pint'll hold.” – Sojourner Truth, “Ar'n't I a Woman?” 1852: Uncle Tom's Cabin published in book form. *”Our elevation must be the result of self-efforts, and work of our own hands. No other human power can accomplish it. If we but determine it shall be so, it will be so. Let each one make the case his own, and endeavor to rival his neighbor, in honorable competition.” – Martin R. Delany, The Condition, Elevation, Emigration and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States 1865: The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln, freeing all American slaves. *”For a moment, he possessed that almost fabulous inspiration, often referred to but seldom attained, in which a public meeting is transformed, as it were, into a single individuality—the orator wielding a thousand heads and hearts at once, and by the simple majesty of his all controlling thought, converting his hearers into the express image of his own soul.”—Frederick Dougla**, My Bondage and My Freedom 1895: During year of “firsts” heralding in the turn of the century, W.E.B. DuBois graduates from Harvard. *”Let me make the songs for the people,/ Songs for the old and young;/ Songs to stir like a battle cry/ Wherever they are sung…” – Francis E. W. Harper, “Songs for the People”