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African American Authors -
African American Poetry
African American Authors
Historically Important & Famous
African American authors such as
Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington,
and Phillis Wheatley
made their mark in black history with their milestone achievements in American
literature. (we will be featuring more famous African American
authors as the eBooks become available online)
The
Complete Narrative of Sojourner Truth by Sojourner Truth
(selected excerpts)
...At length, the never-to-be-forgotten day of the terrible auction arrived,
when the 'slaves, horses, and other cattle' of Charles Ardinburgh, deceased,
were to be put under the hammer, and again change masters. Not only Isabella and
Peter, but their mother, were now destined to the auction block, and would have
been struck off with the rest to the highest bidder...
...After emancipation had been decreed by the State, some
years before the time fixed for its consummation, Isabella's master told her
if she would do well, and be faithful, he would give her 'free papers,'...
...She plead that she had worked all the time, and done many
things she was not wholly able to do... but her master remained inflexible...
Up From Slavery: An Autobiography
by Booker T. Washington
(selected excerpts)
...I had no schooling whatever while I was a slave, though I
remember on several occasions I went as far as the schoolhouse door with one of
my young mistresses to...
...During the campaign when Lincoln was first a candidate for
the Presidency, the slaves on our far-off plantation, miles from any railroad or
large city or daily newspaper, knew what the issues involved were. When war was
begun between the North and the South, every slave on our plantation felt...
...As a rule, not only did the members of my race entertain no
feelings of bitterness against the whites before and during the war, but there
are many instances...
...I pity from the bottom of my heart any nation or body of
people that is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery...
Poems
on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley
(selected excerpts)
O N V I R T U E.
O Thou bright jewel in my aim I strive
To comprehend thee. Thine own words declare
Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach.
I cease to wonder, and no more attempt
Thine height t' explore, or fathom thy profound.
But, O my soul, sink not into despair,
Virtue is near thee, and with gentle hand
Would now embrace thee, hovers o'er thine head.
Fain would the heav'n-born soul with her converse,
Then seek, then court her for her promis'd bliss.
Auspicious queen, thine heav'nly pinions spread,
And lead celestial Chastity along;
Lo! now her sacred retinue descends,
Array'd in glory from the orbs above.
Attend me, Virtue, thro' my youthful years!
O leave me not to the false joys of time!
But guide my steps to endless life and bliss.
Greatness, or Goodness, say what I shall call thee,
To give me an higher appellation still,
Teach me a better strain, a nobler lay, 20
O thou, enthron'd with Cherubs in the realms of day! |
