David Walker's Appeal

“And who can dispense with prejudice long enough to admit that we are men, notwithstanding our improminent noses and woolly heads, and believe that we feel for our fathers, mothers, wives and children as well as they do for theirs.—I say, all who are permitted to see and believe these things, can easily recognize the judgments of God among the Spaniards. Though others may lay the cause of the fierceness with which they cut each other's throats, to some other circumstances, yet they who believe that God is a God of justice, will believe that Slavery is the principal cause.”

Walker argues that the fall of Spain was due to the nation’s perpetuation of slavery. He writes that anyone who accepts the humanity of Black people can see that slavery is wrong. If one believes in a just God, it then becomes clear that he has brought violence and disharmony among the Spaniards as punishment for their acts inhumane treatment of their fellow man.

“I ask every man who has a heart and is blessed with the privilege of believing—Is not God a God of justice to all his creatures? Do you say he is? Then if he gives peace and tranquility to tyrants, and permits them to keep our fathers, our mothers, ourselves and our children in eternal ignorance and wretchedness to support them and their families, would he be to us a God of justice? I ask O ye christians!!!”

In this passage, Walker restates The Contradiction of Slavery and Democratic Christian Ideals. He argues that such a God will not allow the cruelty and injustice of slavery to continue, and anyone who believes he will does not accept the humanity of his fellow man. This argument highlights the hypocrisy of white Christians, a theme that Walker will revisit throughout the Appeal.

“My beloved brethren: The Indians of North and of South America—the Greeks—the Irish subjected under the king of Great Britain—the Jews that ancient people of the Lord—the inhabitants of the islands of the sea—in fine, all the inhabitants of the earth, (except however, the sons of Africa) are called men, and of course are, and ought to be free. But we, (coloured people) and our children are brutes!! and of course are and ought to be Slaves to the American people and their children forever! to dig their mines and work their farms; and thus go on enriching them, from one generation to another with our blood and our tears!!”

In Article 1, Walker compares slavery in the United States to slavery in other parts of the world throughout history. He argues that Black people are the only oppressed people to have been denied the title of “men.” He explains how enslaved African Americans are brutally and systemically dehumanized and exploited for their labor.

“But to prove farther that the condition of the Israelites was better under the Egyptians than ours is under the whites. I call upon the professing christians, I call upon the philanthropist, I call upon the very tyrant himself, to show me a page of history, either sacred or profane, on which a verse can be found, which maintains, that the Egyptians heaped the insupportable insult upon the children of Israel by telling them that they were not of the human family.”

Walker draws on the Bible and stories of the oppression of Israelites under the Egyptians to further his argument that the dehumanization African Americans experience under white Americans is unique. He calls on his oppressors, who claim to be Christians, to offer a piece of conflicting evidence suggesting the Egyptians were just as cruel.

“They think because they hold us in their infernal chains of slavery that we wish to be white, or of their color—but they are dreadfully deceived—we wish to be just as it pleased our Creator to have made us, and no avaricious and unmerciful wretches, have any business to make slaves of or hold us in slavery.”

In this passage, Walker challenges the concept of white superiority. He argues that Black people have no desire to be white; God made their skin the color he wanted it to be, and no one has the right to enslave them because of it. This again highlights The Contradiction of Slavery and Democratic Christian Ideals.

“I have been for years troubling the pages of historians to find out what our fathers have done to the white Christians of America, to merit such condign punishment as they have inflicted on them, and do continue to inflict on us their children. But I must aver, that my researches have hitherto been to no effect. I have therefore come to the immovable conclusion, that they (Americans) have, and do continue to punish us for nothing else, but for enriching them and their country.”

Another component of Walker’s argument around the unique cruelty of American slavery is the fact that other oppressed and enslaved populations have historically done something to offend their oppressors. Therefore, slavery becomes a kind of punishment. However, Walker insists that Black people have done nothing to warrant this punishment from white Americans. He argues that African Americans have done nothing but enrich and better the country.

“We view them next in Rome, where the spirit of tyranny and deceit raged still higher.—We view them in Gaul, Spain and in Britain—in fine, we view them all over Europe, together with what were scattered about in Asia and Africa, as heathens, and we see them acting more like devils than accountable men. But some may ask, did not the blacks of Africa, and the mulattoes of Asia, go on in the same way as did the whites of Europe. I answer no—they never were half so avaricious, deceitful and unmerciful as the whites, according to their knowledge.”

In this passage, Walker argues that “tyranny” and “deceit” have been perpetuated by white people across continents and history. Violence and oppression stem from white people in a way that is unmatched by people of color. Whether they are heathens or Christians, they act to dominate and crush the humanity of the other.

“Ignorance and treachery one against the other—a servile and abject submission to the lash of tyrants, we see plainly, my brethren, are not the natural elements of the blacks, as the Americans try to make us believe; but these are misfortunes which God has suffered our fathers to be enveloped in for many ages, no doubt in consequence of their disobedience to their Maker, and which do, indeed, reign at this time among us, almost to the destruction of all other principles: for I must truly say, that ignorance, the mother of treachery and deceit, gnaws into our very vitals.”

In Article 2, Walker explores Education and Ignorance in the Perpetuation of Slavery and Oppression. White oppressors believe that African Americans are servile by nature and, therefore, suited to being enslaved. However, Walker insists that this is not the natural state of Black people. Rather, he illustrates how generations of systemic oppression and limited access to education have cultivated these attitudes.

“Men of colour, who are also of sense, for you particularly is my appeal designed. Our more ignorant brethren are not able to penetrate its value. I call upon you therefore to cast your eyes upon the wretchedness of your brethren and to do your utmost to enlighten them—go to work and enlighten your brethren!—let the Lord see you doing what you can to rescue them and yourselves from degradation.”

In Article 2, Walker also begins to articulate The Responsibility of Oppressed Populations in Ending Injustice. A key part of this resistance lies in education. He argues that many enslaved African Americans suffer from ignorance, and it is the responsibility of more enlightened Black people to lessen their ignorance and, therefore, oppression.

“My objections are, to our glorying and being happy in such low employments; for if we are men, we ought to be thankful to the Lord for the past, and for the future. Be looking forward with thankful hearts to higher attainments than wielding the razor and cleaning boots and shoes. The man whose aspirations are not above, and even below these, is indeed, ignorant and wretched enough.”

Here, Walker illustrates how internalized ideas of inferiority have become in Black minds. He suggests that African Americans are not only limited by white oppression but also by their own acceptance of inferiority. When many remain content in menial, servile positions, Walker argues that this perpetuates the oppression of all African Americans.

“There is a great work for you to do, as trifling as some of you may think of it. You have to prove to the Americans and the world, that we are men, and not brutes as we have been represented, and by millions treated. Remember, to let the aim of your labours among your brethren, and particularly the youths, be the dissemination of education and religion.”

Walker argues that when African Americans are ignorant, violent, or servile, it confirms white biases and reinforces justification for oppression and enslavement. He suggests that it is important, then, for African Americans to behave in opposition to these stereotypes. In this fight, educated Black people have an important role to play lifting up their less-educated brethren.

“Most of the coloured people, when they speak of the education of one among us who can write a neat hand, and who perhaps knows nothing but to scribble and puff pretty fair on a small scrap of paper, immaterial whether his words are grammatical, or spelt correctly, or not; if it only looks beautiful, they say he has as good an education as any white man—he can write as well as any white man, etc. The poor, ignorant creature, hearing this, he is ashamed, forever after, to let any person see him humbling himself to another for knowledge but going about trying to deceive those who are more ignorant than himself, he at last falls an ignorant victim to death in wretchedness.”

In this passage, Walker discusses the low standards that African Americans hold themselves to regarding education, as he perceives it. If a man can at least write neatly, he is considered to be well-educated, no matter the knowledge or understanding behind his tidy letters. This conception is damaging because it prevents the “educated” man from pursuing greater learning due to fear of revealing his ignorance.

“These ignorant, vicious, and wretched men, contribute almost as much injury to our body as tyrants themselves, by doing so much for the promotion of ignorance amongst us; for they, making such pretensions to knowledge, such of our youth as are seeking after knowledge, and can get access to them, take them as criterions to go by, who will lead them into a channel, where, unless the Lord blesses them with the privilege of seeing their error, they will be irretrievably lost forever, while in time!!”

Here, Walker argues that making baseless claims to knowledge also perpetuates the stereotype of Black ignorance. Educated men must remain open to new opinions and understandings; they must never assume that they know everything. Witnessing this behavior can cause Black youth seeking education to limit themselves, which promotes the continuation of ignorance.

“The Pagans, Jews and Mahometans try to make proselytes to their religions, and whatever human beings adopt their religions, they extend to them their protection. But Christian Americans not only hinder their fellow creatures, the Africans, but thousands of them will absolutely beat a coloured person nearly to death, if they catch him on his knees, supplicating the throne of grace.”

In Article 3, Walker again illustrates how the white Christian treatment of African Americans cannot be compared to that of any other oppressed people. Here, he argues that any other religion accepts those who adopt it and allows them to receive the benefits that the religion provides. Not only do white Christians deny African Americans the protections of Christianity, but they also actively prevent them from practicing the religion.

“Have not the Americans the Bible in their hands? Do they believe it? Surely they do not. See how they treat us in open violation of the Bible!!”

Throughout Article 3, Walker argues that white Americans act in direct contradiction to the Bible and the teaching of Jesus Christ. He repeatedly questions how they can justify the oppression they perpetuate while claiming to follow the word of God.

“I hope that the Americans may hear, but I am afraid that they have done us so much injury, and are so firm in the belief that our Creator made us to be an inheritance to them forever, that their hearts will be hardened, so that their destruction may be sure.—This language, perhaps is too harsh for the American's delicate ears. But Oh Americans! Americans!! I warn you in the name of the Lord, (whether you will hear, or forbear,) to repent and reform, or you are ruined!!!!!!”

In his Appeal, Walker frequently refers to a just God that will exact retribution on behalf of oppressed peoples. In this passage, he calls on white Americans to repent for their cruel treatment of Black people or face God’s wrath. Although he hopes they will hear and heed his call, he worries that they have inflicted too much suffering and their hearts have become too hardened to be saved.

“But the Americans, having introduced slavery among them, their hearts have become almost seared, as with an hot iron, and God has nearly given them up to believe a lie in preference to the truth!!! and I am awfully afraid that pride, prejudice, avarice and blood, will, before long, prove the final ruin of this happy republic, or land of liberty!!!”

Here, Walker warns that slavery will bring about the downfall of the United States if white Americans do not change their trajectory. Because of their pride and arrogance, they have turned their backs on the truth that God set forth and focused only on their own wealth and superiority. God has almost given up on them, and Walker worries that the destruction of the United States is at hand.

“That is to say, to fix a plan to get those of the coloured people, who are said to be free, away from among those of our brethren whom they unjustly hold in bondage, so that they may be enabled to keep them the more secure in ignorance and wretchedness, to support them and their children, and consequently they would have the more obedient slaves. For if the free are allowed to stay among the slaves, they will have intercourse together, and, of course, the free will learn the slaves bad habits, by teaching them that they are MEN, as well as other people, and certainly ought, and must be FREE.”

In this passage, Walker discusses the hypocrisy of the Colonizing Plan, which proposed sending African Americans back to Africa. Walker argues that free, educated Black people threaten the institution of slavery by reminding enslaved people that they are also “men” and deserving of freedom. Therefore, under the guise of giving African Americans a place where they could live without prejudice or discrimination, white Americans were attempting to secure their ability to continue enslaving people.

“Now I ask those avaricious and ignorant wretches, who act more like the seed of Cain, by murdering, the whites or the blacks? How many vessel loads of human beings have the blacks thrown into the seas? How many thousand souls have the blacks murdered in cold blood to make them work in wretchedness and ignorance, to support them and their families?”

Here, Walker challenges the argument that Black people are the seed of Cain and, therefore, cursed to lives of servitude. He claims that the crimes that white people have committed far outweigh those perpetrated by Black people and wonders who is more deserving of God’s curse. He uses rhetorical questions to prompt his readers to ask these questions of themselves.

“But O, my God!—in sorrow I must say it, that my colour, all over the world, have a mean, servile spirit. They yield in a moment to the whites, let them be right or wrong—the reason the whites are able to keep their feet on our throats. Oh! my coloured brethren, all over the world, when shall we arise from this death-like apathy?—And be men!!”

In this passage, Walker again implies that Black people must take some responsibility for their “wretchedness.” To be treated like men, they must refuse to surrender to white control. They must prove that servitude is not the natural condition of Black people and behave like “men.”

“America is more our country, than it is the whites—we have enriched it with our blood and tears. The greatest riches in all America have arisen from our blood and tears:—and will they drive us from our property and homes, which we have earned with our blood?”

Here, Walker insists that African Americans belong in the United States. Over generations, they have sacrificed much to enrich the country, and it is their home. White Americans want to convince African Americans to return to Africa, but Walker calls on his brethren to resist and not abandon their well-earned claim to the United States. He repeats the term “blood” to create violent imagery of pain and effort, reinforcing his point that Black people helped to build the US.

“I speak Americans for your good. We must and shall be free I say, in spite of you. You may do your best to keep us in wretchedness and misery, to enrich you and your children but God will deliver us from under you. And wo, wo, will be to you if we have to obtain our freedom by fighting.”

In this passage, Walker suggests that white Americans must listen to him for their own good. Freedom will be granted to the enslaved and oppressed through God’s justice, no matter what actions white Americans take. However, if they want to save themselves from God's retribution and violent rebellion, they must act now.

“Treat us like men, and there is no danger but we will all live in peace and happiness together. For we are not like you, hard hearted, unmerciful, and unforgiving. What a happy country this will be, if the whites will listen. What nation under heaven, will be able to do any thing with us, unless God gives us up into his hand? But Americans, I declare to you, while you keep us and our children in bondage, and treat us like brutes, to make us support you and your families, we cannot be your friends. You do not look for it, do you? Treat us then like men, and we will be your friends. And there is not a doubt in my mind, but that the whole of the past will be sunk into oblivion, and we yet, under God, will become a united and happy people. The whites may say it is impossible, but remember that nothing is impossible with God.”

Walker insists that the possibility of peace and cohabitation is not lost between Black and white Americans. He suggests that African Americans are ready to forgive and move on from the past if white Americans will only treat them like men. Although peace and unity may seem impossible, Walker knows that they have God’s support.