Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Am I not a Man and a Brother?




When we mainly here about ablotionism, we think United States, but it was a worlwide phenomenon. The first steps ever taken against slavery are recognized to have taken place in Great Britain through different court cases. The picture above was representative of the British abolitionist movement, and was later used by other countries in their fight against slavery. It was created by Josiah Wedgewood, and became quickly very famous, if not trendy, as it was used in jewelry, and snuff boxes.

It shows the picture of an African American slave down on one knee, enchained and looking up at probably what we could guess to be his master. His hands are linked together, as if he was imploring help, or compassion regarding his situation. Some see in his almost-total-nudity a representation of freedom and purity.

Before being an embleme of the abolitionist movement in Great Britain, and later around the world, this image was a medallion. Indeed, it is considered to be the first and most recognizable image of the 18th century abolitionist movement.

The most symbolic part about this picture is however the text that underlines it. It says "Am I nnot a Man and a Brother?". This sentence symbolizes a great protest against race inequality. Through this rhetorical question, the author of the medallion answers it. He implies that African American slaves are men and human, similarly to White people. They have nothing in difference but their skin color, and that should not be a reason to prevent them from their liberty.

1 comment:

  1. The image can also appeal to Christian’s knowledge of not only the humanity of slave but also Christian's own very identity of being brother to a slave. In Christianity, every person is a slave to sin when we do not do the will of God. Also the Gospel frees man from his sin by Christ work on the cross and not man’s own effort. We should all understand that we have been set free from the slave master of sin. And so we are family with all those who experience slavery and long to be freed.

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