Black History Month: Honoring Phillis Wheatley
Today we want to honor Phillis Wheatley.
Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in Gambia, Africa. She was captured by slave traders, brought to America, and sold to the Wheatley family in Boston, Massachusetts. She was given the name Phillis after the name of the slave ship that she endured to America.
After sixteen months with the Wheatley family, Wheatley was able “to read the Bible, Greek and Latin classics, and British literature” (National Women’s History Museum, 2015). At the age of fourteen, Wheatley began to write poetry. Her first poem was published in 1767. In 1773, Wheatley published her work – the first book written by a black woman in America – Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Her poetry was greatly influenced by her faith and her African heritage.
In 1778, she married freed man John Peters from Boston, MA. They had three children, though none survived. Wheatley died from complications of childbirth in 1784. Her work was widely read and cherished.
On Being Brought from Africa to America
'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/phillis-wheatley
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45465/on-being-brought-from-africa-to-america
Books
Letters To A Birmingham Jail by Bryan Loritts
Right Color, Wrong Culture by Bryan Loritts
Articles
The Bible and Race
Sermons/Talks
A Time To Speak (Memphis, Tn)
