Who Is Benjamin Banneker Letter To Thomas Jefferson

Banneker Analysis
After the Revolutionary War, and while America was still trying to establish itself, it faced many problems in society, including the issue of race and slavery. There were many Americans that viewed blacks as inferior beings who should be confined to a life of slavery. Thomas Jefferson, the father of The Declaration of Independence, was one of those people. In 1791, Benjamin Banneker, a free and educated black man, used his letter to challenge Jefferson’s work, Notes on the State of Virginia. Notes on the State of Virginia provides reasons why Jefferson believes blacks and whites are not equal, calling them “inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind” (Jefferson 113). In his letter to Thomas Jefferson,

He does not start off discussing the issue of slavery. Instead, Banneker is very polite, using formal language and referring to him as “Sir.” The letter appeals to Jefferson’s pride by telling of how Jefferson is “a man far less inflexible in Sentiments of this nature [...] that [is] measurably friendly and well disposed toward us, and that [is] willing and ready to Lend [his] aid and assistance to our relief” (Banneker). Whether Banneker is being honest or not, this quote may lead Jefferson to believe that Banneker feels Jefferson is better than many of the other important men in American society, something that might make Jefferson feel good about himself, and more likely to be supportive. At the closing of the letter, Banneker ends with the very polite phrase “your most obedient and humble servant” (Banneker). This gives the impression that Banneker is not trying to argue with Jefferson, instead that he is trying to inform him. Jefferson would likely not want to read this letter if Banneker was simply bashing his views. Instead, this rhetorical strategy allows Banneker to grab Jefferson’s attention so that he can freely explain his purposes in later

Primarily for justification, Banneker himself is used as an example. Banneker is a very educated man who has published numerous almanacs. He talks of how he “industriously apply’d [himself] thereto a copy” of his latest almanac, and includes a copy in the letter so “that [Jefferson] might also view it in [his] own handwriting” (Banneker). This strategy is very rewarding because it provides an example of a very successful black man, which disproves Jefferson’s idea that all blacks are inferior to whites. Also important is the fact that it is in Banneker’s own handwriting. This would make it very hard for Jefferson to use the excuse that someone else was writing the letter and almanac for him. By providing justification in the form of Banneker’s own success, Banneker’s more immediate purpose of proving that blacks are not inferior to whites is