The Merits of the ‘Christianization’ of Early American Blacks

Authors

  • Zachary Paone Keene State College

Keywords:

literature, African-Americans, slavery, Christianity

Abstract

“The Merits of the ‘Christianization’ of Early American Blacks†is inspired by pre-1800 texts written by both oppressed and freed black authors such as Phillis Wheatley, Frederick Douglas, Olaudah Equiano, and John Marrant. Each author is critically assessed to situate their narratives within the most accurate confines of race, nationality, history, publishing culture, and religious perspective. This literary study is combined with historical background and post-colonial criticism to determine how Christianity defined the style of these writers and lead slaves to freedom. Antebellum South slave-owners and legislators intentionally used Christian doctrine to keep blacks in chains; however, this plan backfired: an increased faith in God among slaves lead to their physical as well as spiritual liberation. All these writers eventually rose up and defied the station white society had given them, and in the process each group exuded a confidence in their actions supported by their own independent understanding of the same biblical texts meant to humble them. With both the words of great black writers and the beginnings of black bible literacy, this essay is a celebration of redemptive literary power as much as a spotlight over conspicuously overlooked historical truths and figures, such as George Whitfield.

Faculty Mentor: Michael Antonucci

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Published

2018-06-28

Issue

Section

Humanities