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Summary Of All Men Are Created Equal By Benjamin Banneker

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“All Men Are Created Equal” Benjamin Banneker is an African American mathematician, inventor, writer, and social critic writing a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Banneker also happens to be the son of a former slave. Banneker disapproves of the way Jefferson advocates abolition, while owning slaves, and writing that “all men are created equal”, yet also writing that African Americans are an inferior race. His main reason for writing the letter is getting his point on advocating for the abolition of slavery across and Banneker does this using ethos in a variety of ways. Banneker shows a number of specific character traits that help his ethos. One of the first character traits that you notice in the letter is the Banneker is very respectful …show more content…

This bolds well for his ethos because the more knowledgeable you seem about a subject, the more likely your audience will take you seriously and listen to or read what you have to say. Banneker’s word choice plays a big part in this because it shows that he is well-read. Banneker shows off exactly how well-read he is by quoting the Declaration of Independence and the Bible. Banneker then uses his education to discredit Jefferson at different times throughout the letter. Banneker effectively uses Jefferson’s religion and own words against him in order to discredit him. Banneker uses the fact that Jefferson is religious to create doubt of Jefferson’s ethos by stating that no good Christian man would sit idly by while these gross injustices are going on. This really discredits Jefferson by insinuating that he could have shaky morals. Banneker also touches on the fact that Jefferson contradicts himself in his writings. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson sharply condemns slavery even though he owns slaves himself, but in his Notes on the State of Virginia, he shows discrimination towards African Americans (Carroll, 83). Banneker also uses the Fact that Jefferson is a privileged white American of power against him as well, by writing that Jefferson would know more about the plight of African Americans than Banneker would. Banneker at the end of the letter refers to Jefferson as “sire,” (Carroll, 87), which Banneker uses to refer back to the notion that African Americans are an inferior

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Benjamin Banneker earnestly attempts to persuade Thomas Jefferson, former slave owner, the wrongness of slavery by using his sense of morality and reasoning against him. Banneker brings to light Jefferson’s views and to set the foundation to take his argument further. He refers to the Revolutionary War in line 2, "...arms and tyranny of the British Crown..." and explains the British Crown and indirectly refers to their ruling of the colonies. The word he most significantly used was ‘tyranny’ which sums up the rule of the British Crown in the colonists eyes. He uses the Revolutionary War and its impact on the colonies to further deepen the argument on his next point, without this clarification what he said next wouldn't have made any

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Benjamin Banneker’s letter is filled with a litany of examples to argue against slavery. Banneker was a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, author, and the son of former slaves. Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the framer of the Declaration of Independence and secretary of state. In this letter Banneker uses rhetorical strategies to argue against slavery such as being a hypocrite, using the word “sir” referring to Jefferson, and using examples of the declaration of independence of how it’s wrong with “all men created equal.” Banneker is a flat out hypocrite.

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In his letter to Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Banneker cries out against slavery and how Thomas Jefferson seemed to have forgotten the slaves when he was writing the Declaration of Independence. With his use of religious connotation, repetition and references to Jefferson’s own past Banneker channels his feelings of negativity against slavery to Jefferson. Banneker knows that Jefferson is a religious man as most men were back in the day and by bring God in to his arguments he shows Jefferson that god too, is against slavery. He writes that Jefferson is “convinced of the benevolence of the Father” and that Jefferson “counteracts his mercies” by allowing slavery to go on. Jefferson is just not getting the picture from God that Slavery is not a good thing.

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In the letter to Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Banneker, it is evident that Banneker uses the rhetorical strategies of humility, religious references, and historical references to create a foundation for a rational and favorable argument against slavery. Banneker is clearly a well-educated man with a background of respectable talents (“…farmer, astronomer, mathematician…” etc.). However, he does not allow his knowledge to condescend towards the white man to whom he is writing. Banneker’s humility is a rhetorical device that contributes to the argument against slavery. Never in the letter does Banneker refer to Jefferson by name.

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Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1791 to argue against slavery and that the freedom and tranquility we enjoy is a blessing from heaven. The author uses quotes, diction and rhetorical questions to develop and support his claims. Banneker’s purpose is to get Thomas Jefferson to consider the morals of slavery. The intended audience is Thomas Jefferson and any other government official who reads this letter. To begin, Banneker uses an intricate choice of words to express how unhappy he is with slavery and those who allow it.

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In 1791, the multi-skilled and intelligent Benjamin Benneker wrote to Declaration of Independence framer Thomas Jefferson arguing against the existence of slavery in the United States. The work, containing descriptions of the mental and physical fight of slavery to excerpts of distinguished texts, connects to establish a strong argument for the anti-slavery cause. Throughout the essay, Benjamin Banneker uses pathos, examples, and allusions to press Thomas Jefferson into sympathizing and empathizing with the injustices of slavery. Banneker utilizes examples to persuade and influence Jefferson. He recalls the tyrannical rule of the British Crown and the constrictive orders and imminent dangers that were endured during the American Revolution (5-8) to heighten the relatability of

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Banneker know his place in terms that he is black, so he is not treated as equal. Banneker brings up the fact that Jefferson knows how he feels, as Jefferson has gone through having his freedom stripped from him. Banneker tells Jefferson to recall the time when “the arms and tyranny” of the king were applied with a stern effort to reduce him to a “State of Servitude.”

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Banneker Also uses a bible allusion. Furthermore, he says, “Thus shall your hearts be enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards them; and thus shall you need neither the direction of myself or others, in what manner to proceed herein.” He uses this to make him feel better for calling him a hypocrite earlier in his letter. He says this make Thomas Jefferson feel as if it’s not too late to change. This makes Jefferson feel that it’s not all he fault and just needs to take Banneker’s advice.

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Benjamin Banneker in the letter, argues against slavery. Banneker uses biblical allusion, and a melancholic tone in order to argue against slavery to Thomas Jefferson in 1791.     Banneker uses biblical allusion in order to demonstrate that all humans should be treated the same, and have equal rights. For example, “you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven” (Banneker 1). Banneker presents his argument by stating that Thomas Jefferson has freedom because of heaven, and he should extend the same right to everyone else.

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Abigail Adams letter to John Adams asking him to remember the ladies when the new country is made (Source B), and his crude letter back explaining her ridiculousness (Source E). A letter most likely written by a free slave so desperate for the freedom of the African children that he learned to write and sends a petition to the congress (Source C). And finally, in the recreation of the the mid 1770’s events, the miniseries John Adams (Source D). Therefore, The statement, “All men were created equal” is a hypocritical statement because the African people and women were treated as property to be owned instead of as equal people as the statement

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Hypocrisy is one of the worst moral crimes someone can commit. Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. He has gone back on his morale of everyone having unalienable rights by letting slavery continue to happen, and Banneker believes he is the prime contender in allowing this crime to happen and that he should be the start and make the move to stop slavery. Banneker explains this to Jefferson in such a way that the letter is both respectful and thoughtful while also being rude due to the use of how he phrases his sentences, that his argument can not be questioned because of his use of ‘Sir’ to show his respect, and his ardent choice of words which are all collectively used to explain how Jefferson is being hypocritical and show him why he should fix this.

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“The Constitution and Slavery” pointed this out by stating that “Yet at the time these words were written, more than 500,000 black Americans were slaves. Jefferson himself owned more than 100.” This shows that even though Jefferson insisted on the idea of “all men are created equal,” some can say that he is a hypocrite. “How could somebody make such a statement while they are doing the same devilish act?” must have gone through the minds of those questioning Jefferson’s sincerity. Indeed, he did commit those acts.

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