Noble Cause: David Walker's Controversy

Noble Cause
Thesis: David Walker’s Appeal created controversy for white Christians, challenged their motives for colonization, and provided oppressed people fuel to fight tyranny. Slave owners described their slaves as barbaric people who needed a guide during their life. The lives of black people equaled that of no white person. Christian Americans believed enslaving blacks continued the social spectrum of society which predated America. Greeks, Romans, Egyptians owned slaves. Americans were no different than any other society before them. Slaves were property and thus not entitled to their own salvation. Salvation came though their masters. David Walker’s Appeal created controversy for white Christians, challenged their motives for
colonization, and provided oppressed people fuel to fight tyranny. Walker contradicts other slavery institutions to that of American slavery.
“Do they not institute laws to prohibit us from marrying among the whites? I would wish, candidly, however, before the Lord, to be understood, that I would not give a pinch of snuff to be married to any white person I ever saw in all the days of my life.” (Walker Article I). Walker is arguing the fact that slaves of Egyptians could intermarry in Egypt. American slaves were prohibited from and contact with people outside their race. He describes how the Egyptians are taught to be the devils, but the American Christians are the “enlightened”. Treating American slaves more barbaric than any civilization known to man. The Americans considered themselves Christians, however, black slaves were not considered to be worthy of redemption. David Walker wants to know what justifies the American Christian’s cause. They believe themselves to be holy, moreover, treat slaves and blacks on a level lower than citizens. Colonization started to justify the freedom of slaves. White America did not want free slaves living among them in harmony. Several “pro-abolitionists” created the idea of colonization of another country with free slaves. Walker saw this as another way to deprive black Americans of their livelihood. Blacks had worked so hard for their masters and now, in return, were going to be shipped to another country as a
reward. American Christians saw the blacks as brutes and did not want them to run feely among them. This disputed the works of the Lord, according to Walker. The free blacks deserve their place in America as much as anyone else, under God’s eyes. God was a God of no color and all His children were his, regardless of race. America is just as much the African-Americans as it is the white Americans. This document created controversy in the Christian beliefs. It argued for the freedom of all mankind under God’s grace. American Christians in the South were not following God’s plan. The teachings in this document leave the opportunity for rebellions in slave classes. It teaches freedoms are for everyone in God’s Kingdom. This potentially could cause riots among slaves and slave owners. David Walker’s Appeal was a noble call for men to act against the tyranny of unethical Christians. It explained the difference in slave ownership by Christian and non-Christian nations. He taught of unity through the grace of God and where the Americans were falling behind. The Appeal served as an explanation for civil liberties granted by God under one Kingdom.