Benjamin Banneker’s Strategies to Speak Against the Slavery
Banneker uses rhetorical strategies to argue against slavery. He states about the unfairness of the British Crown and the dangers which the slaves have unfair treatment. He uses historical evidence to back up his points as well as religious context. He uses his opinion as well as a way of solution to end against slavery. He specifically states his opinions with details and enables the reader to understand his feelings towards slavery with his tone. He would say this because he was a son of former slaves and therefore has a personal story and experience. He discusses over his personal feelings as well about slavery.
Banneker first states that slavery should not be used through the use of historical evidence and quotes to back him up about the horrible conditions of slavery. His tone towards slavery allows the reader to know how he feels in regards to the problem of slavery. He states about the fact that the people of the free country did not acknowledge the power of freedom that should have been also offered to slaves. He stated quotes from politicians to support his idea. He criticizes the people who do not see the way that he sees slavery.
Religious evidence helps Banneker defend his point regarding the issue of slavery. He stated that the slaves did not have the ability to have the right of freedom which was offered in heaven. He wanted to let the people to feel guilty and realize the importance of freedom with his convincing that God wanted them to all have equal rights. He wanted to point out to the politicians that what they were doing was a “criminal act” by not offering freedom to the slaves.
In the document, Banneker uses his personal opinion about the issue of slavery. He talks about the value of liberty as well as the privileges that should be offered upon him and other slaves. He talks in a persuasive manner in order to try to convince the politicians to whom the letter was written to. He does this in order to persuade them to see the unfairness of slavery and the deserving right of the slaves. He wanted the politicians to treat the slaves the way that they wanted to be treated.
Banneker writes this letter to try to convince the politicians who ran the country to grant freedom to the slaves. He uses different types of rhetorical devices and tones to try to support his ideas. He gave many examples in the letter in hopes of the right of equality granted to the slaves.
