Meghan Holt

PO 1105
Minorities in America
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,
an American Slave, Written By Himself
1. Whoseview(DouglassorslaveholdingAmerica)doyouthinkbestportrays
JesusChrist.Explainandgiveacoupleofexamplesfromthereadingbelow.
Douglass portrays the character of Jesus Christ better than slaveholding America did. In August of 1832, Douglasss master
attended a Methodist camp meeting and there experienced
religion. Douglass says he indulged in a faint hope that his
conversion would lead him to emancipate his slaves, and, that if
he did not, it would at any rate, make him more kind and
humane (page 35). In the appendix of Douglasss writing, he
writes, What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean
strictly to apply to the ~slaveholding religion~ of this land, and
with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the
Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize
the widest possible difference--so wide, that to receive the one as
good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad,
corrupt, and wicked (pages 36 & 37). It appears that Douglass
did not even consider slaveholders to share the same religion as
he did. However, Douglass also writes, I love the pure,
peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the
corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial
and hypocritical Christianity of this land (page 37). Although I
would most likely have a hard time loving those who wronged
me, particularly in Douglasss situation, Jesus calls us to love our
enemies & do good to those who persecute you. Hating the
people who wrong you is not the right way to go about it;
however, I still think Douglass portrayed the Jesuss character
more.
2. DoyouthinkthattheChristianslaveholders,whoseactsDouglassdescribes,were
realChristians?Atthetime,peoplelikeDouglasssaidpointblank,no.Howwould
yourespondtothequestion?
When asking this type of question, I believe it is important to examine
this question from a biblical and theological standpoint rather than
judging and assessing the wrong doings from each party and
answering it from there. Before answering this question, let start by
saying I am not defending or justifying the actions of the slaveholders
in any way; I am merely attempting to examine the situation based on
Gods definition of a Christian is.
The challenge with Christianity today is that it has created a worldly
viewpoint of sin. We tend to weigh sins against one another, punishing

Meghan Holt
PO 1105
Minorities in America
acts like murderer more harshly than cheating or lying. This viewpoint
needs to change. Every sin- whether it be cheating on a test or stealing
candy from a gas station- is an offense against God. We tend to
focus on the sins that we personally have not committed. Despite the
fact that we have all violated countless amounts of commandments
from God, we like to pound our chest in approval and think that God
must find us to be better people because we have not owned slaves,
murdered anyone, or committed any of the big sins against him.
Unfortunately for this prideful world, Jesus does not let us off the hook
so easily. 5:21-22, during the Sermon on the Mount: You have heart
that the ancients were told, You shall not commit murder and
Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say to you
that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the
court; and whoever says to his brother, You good-for-nothing, shall be
guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, You fool. Shall be
guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Jesus is saying that anyone who
has gotten angry at someone has committed murder in their heart.
No one is good enough to deserve to go to heaven. Paul writes in
Romans 3:23-26, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in
Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood
through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in
the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously
committed.
My point on preaching this mini-sermon is to point out that no one
knows who is a real Christian except God. Our salvation is not based
on works or faith alone, and thank God for the blood of Christ to wash
our sins. Im sure many people will disagree with my answer.
Jourdan Anderson to former slave master Jourdan Anderson,
1865
1. WhyisAndersonwritingtohisformermaster?(1or2sentencesbutbespecific
andaccurate.)
Anderson is writing to his former master because his master
wanted him to come back and work with him & promised him
better working conditions.
2. WhileAndersonseemstopraisehisformermaster,howcanyoutellthatheis
really(usingsarcasmandirony)totesthischaracterandevenchastisehim?
Giveexamples.
I would have gone back to see you all when I was working in
Nashville hospital, but one of the neighbors told me Henry
intended to shoot me if he ever got the chance.
I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this
for harboring Rebs they found at your house.

Meghan Holt
PO 1105
Minorities in America
Although you shot me twice before I left you, I did not want to
hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living.
3. Thislettercontainsthethemeofreconciliation.
Inorderforreconciliationtobebelievableandeffective,whatdoesAnderson
believehisformermastershoulddo?
He wants to receive his wages for the time he spent serving his
master as well as all of the wrongdoings his master committed
against him. He has a list of terms and conditions that would
need to be set in place, such as safety for his children, upon his
return.
Do agree with what he's asking for? Why or why not? Note: answer the
question,notbyhowitmightimpactyoupersonally(orwhatmightbeatstake
foryou),otherwisethere'snohopeforobjectivity.
I agree with what he is asking for. He had many injustices
committed against him, and it is only fair that he is paid back
in full + more. It is not fair to keep the earnings a slave
brought in without paying them upon their arrival to freedom.
4. What does Anderson's inquiry about the safety of Milly and Jane and the
referencetoMatildaandCatherinetellyouaboutblackwomenbothduring
slaveryandafteritwasabolished?
During slavery, it can be determined that male masters abused
black women/slaves. After it was abolished, it seems that there
was some level of abuse still occurring, since Anderson is
asking that there is safety for his two attractive and grown
daughters.
5. Southernwhiteslongperpetuatedthestereotypethatblacksneitherwantednor
wouldbenefitfromeducation.WhatdoesAnderson'sstatementattheendtell
you?
Anderson asked his master if there were any schools opened
for the colored children, for the great desire in his life was to
give his children and education & to form virtuous habits.
Andersons statement tells us that blacks DID want to be
educated and saw great value in having an education.
Aint I A Woman? By Sojourner Truth
1. What inconsistencies in the conception of liberty did Sojourner Truth lay
againstbothwhiteAmericaandblackmen?Explainwithexamples.
That man over there says that women need to be helped into
carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place
everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over
mud puddles, or gives me any best place! Aint I a woman?
She is basically saying that black women are not given equal
treatment that white women get and black men dont hold
the same values either. That little man in black there, he

Meghan Holt
PO 1105
Minorities in America
says women cant have as much rights as men Equal rights
for women everywhere were needed.
2. Whatinconsistenciesinthepracticeoflibertydoyouseebetweenmenand
womantoday?
The modern day feminist movement is an example of how
some women feel today. They feel as though they are not
seen as equal in American society. Personally, I would like to
send those women over to the Middle East so that they can
see what those women have to endure e.g. acid thrown on
their face, maybe then women will appreciate the rights they
have been given here.