As the United States began fighting for its freedom from Great Britain, the people began finding their voice as well. The American literary landscape was described as barren and bland. But during the Second Great Awakening, there began a shift from believing that everything was for and about God to rational thought and methodical observation. The idea of “rational religion” came around and people began rejecting some of the ideas of religion such as “miracles, revelation, and the divinity of Jesus.”
While all of this incredible change was occurring, there was still one dark spot that remained. Slavery.
Phillis Wheately was a young girl brought to America after being captured in Africa in 1761 when she was just seven or eight years old. Although she was still a slave, she did get lucky with where she ended up. The Wheatley family treated her almost like one of their own and even allowed her to learn to read and write. Phillis Wheately then used her advantage to talk and write about the struggles and hardships that slaves faced. Despite her good luck, she still faced racism as well. When publishing her first book, she had to be examined in order to prove that she was actually the author of the work.
“Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
‘Their colour is a diabolical die.’
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.”
