Teddy Park Mr. Valassidis Period 1‚ AP English Language & Composition September 29‚ 2012 Banneker Rewrite In 1791‚ Benjamin Banneker‚ the lowly son of former slaves‚ wrote to Thomas Jefferson‚ the great framer of the Declaration of Independence and advocate for equality‚ urging Jefferson to see the hypocrisy and injustices of slavery in the colonies. During this post-Revolutionary time‚ slavery was still prevalent in the colonies which bewildered many as America embedded its roots in the
Premium United States Declaration of Independence Slavery in the United States Slavery
themselves. Benjamin Banneker writes a letter to one of these founding fathers‚ more specifically the one that wrote “We hold these truths to be self-evident‚ that all men are created equal‚ and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights‚ that among these are life‚ liberty‚ and the pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence (21-25). Banneker maintains strong stance on how unjust slavery is in the United States. He encourages Jefferson to relate
Premium United States Declaration of Independence United States Slavery in the United States
Man‚" the Motown marvel sings of Benjamin Banneker: "first clock to be made in America was created by a black man." Though the song is a fitting salute to a great inventor (and African Americans in general)‚ it only touches on the genius of Benjamin Banneker and the many hats he wore – as a farmer‚ mathematician‚ astronomer‚ author and land surveyor. Like a lot of early inventors‚ Benjamin Banneker was primarily self-taught. The son of former slaves‚ Benjamin worked on the family tobacco farm
Premium Invention Thomas Jefferson American Civil War
Benjamin Banneker’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson Rhetorical Analysis In a letter to Thomas Jefferson an advocate for slavery and framer of “The Declaration of Independence”; author‚ astronomer‚ mathematician‚ farmer‚ and the son of former slaves‚ Benjamin Banneker addresses the oppressive and horrifying nature of the slave trade that Banneker’s ancestors had been in for generations. In this letter‚ Banneker exposes the cruelty slaves endeavored while expanding on the rights that were taken from his
Premium Slavery in the United States American Civil War Thomas Jefferson
victorious as a leader‚ Benjamin Banneker‚ arises on the other side‚ becoming the voice for the slaves. He expertly writes a letter to Thomas Jefferson arguing the slaves deserve freedom by using rhetorical devices‚ such as analogies‚ allusions‚
Premium United States Slavery in the United States African American
Lang. – A2 15 January 2016 Rhetorical Analysis – Banneker Slavery is infamously known in American history as “America’s greatest shame”. Accompanied by the concept of slavery was vast opposition due to it being unconstitutional and contradicting the basis of American government. Benjamin Banneker writes a simple letter to Thomas Jefferson that effectively argues against the institution of slavery utilizing political appeals‚ irony‚ repetition‚ and a snarky tone. Banneker argues against slavery by
Premium Slavery in the United States United States Slavery
Benjamin Banneker Excerpt The Declaration of Independence‚ a well-respected document responsible for seceding the United States of America from the oppressive Great Britain‚ had a false allegation written in it: that all men were created equal and endowed with unalienable rights. The only men who proved to be equal in the eyes of society were the property owning white men‚ and slaves‚ after some of them having had helped their American allies achieve freedom‚ were once again subjugated to the
Premium United States Declaration of Independence United States Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Banneker’s writing to Thomas Jefferson suggests his dissatisfaction towards Jefferson’s actions and hypocrisy towards slavery. Banneker’s purpose seems to critique Jefferson in the form of bitter tone and examination of his ideals and actions. Banneker conveys a bitter tone in order to assert his claims towards Jefferson. In his letter‚ Banneker shows distinct irony‚ political diction and a somewhat mocking tone to imply the discontent he feels in regards to the issue of slavery. Banneker
Premium Slavery in the United States United States American Civil War
Mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9‚ 1731‚ in Ellicott’s Mills‚ Maryland. Largely self-taught‚ Banneker was one of the first African Americans to gain distinction in science. His significant accomplishments and correspondence with prominent political figures profoundly influenced how African Americans were viewed during the Federal period. Benjamin Banneker‚ originally Banna Ka‚ or Bannakay‚ was a free African American mathematician‚ astronomer‚ clockmaker‚ and publisher
Premium
Benjamin Banneker‚ was a well-educated man and the son of former slaves‚ writes in his letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1791 that slavery is against the foundations that the country based upon itself upon. Banneker supports his argument by recalling texts and moments of history that was crucial to the foundation of America and the contradictory aspects of slavery. Banneker uses several rhetorical techniques including tone‚ allusion‚ diction‚ ethos‚ pathos‚ and counterargument to make his position of
Free United States Declaration of Independence American Revolutionary War