I strongly disagree with the criticism made by Baraka and others regarding the.
Indeed it would seem that social commentators find it.
very easy to criticize writers for their views on many civil issues without.
understanding the historical context and social atmosphere of that time. It is.
argued that the spirituals, ballads, and other forms of expression for slaves.
were often censored. I would then like to insert the argument that the area of.
literature in which Wheatley published her works was highly censored since she.
was first African American slave to be formally recognized as a writer. As with.
the spirituals, work songs, and ballads Wheatley's poems hold subtle but.
important messages about her enslaved race, her message of spiritual redemption.
parallels the implications of the spirituals.
In Wheatley's poem, "On Being Brought from Africa to America", the similarity.
of her writing to the message of the spirituals is apparent in carefully placed.
lines throughout the poem. At first glance it would appear that Wheatley is.
grateful that she was made a slave, but in closer examination you find the same.
solace of spiritual salvation that is sung in the spirituals. "That there's is a.
God, that there's a Savior too".(line 3) The promise of a "Savior", a deliverer.
or rescuer of people, is the knowledge that Wheatley is grateful to have.
learned. Wheatley's poem also identifies the oppression and contempt of being a.
slave, "Some view our sable race with scornful eye" and the country's supposed.
biblical justification "Negroes, black as Cain". In her poem Wheatley reminds.
not only her fellow African American's but Christians as well that all.
Christians, black and white, are admitted into heaven.
Wheatley's poems and letters discuss freedom and redemption in a language that.
is different than the vernacular that was used in the spirituals and ballads,.
but her message of hope and patience is the same.
