Simona Shuman
In Michael Apted’s treatment of Amazing Grace, he focuses on a young abolitionist in a pro-slavery society. In the thesis, Apted and I examine how, “tɦʀօʊɢɦ tɦɛ քօաɛʀɖʊʟ ʍɛssaɢɛ օʄ tɦɛ ɦʏʍռ Aʍaʐɨռɢ Gʀaċɛ,William Wilberforce strives to stand up for what he believes is morally right when escaping from political pressures, even if it means being humiliated.” Throughout the film three types of history occurred: political, economic, and military. The conclusion of the paper will be a restatement of the main ideas, and my personal opinion on the film.
In the beginning of the movie, Michael Apted introduces William Wilberforce as a young abolitionist. William lives in a society that is racist and prejudice to anyone not of their skin color. Great Britain in the late 1700’s, was a society dominated by the upper class who opposed changes in their way of life. To achieve this they lived a glamorous life, looking down on those below them in the social order. At first William does not outright show his feeling about slavery but subtly shows it by being a worker of God. To him a worker of God was one who made decisions and based their actions upon what they believed God wanted. In the beginning of the film, As a game of poker occurs with other members of Parliament in a bar, William plays against the Duke of Clarence a strong believer in slavery. The duke gambles off his young black coach driver, and Wilberforce slams down his cards in anger and storms off. Although he
By creating powerful imagery to depict the treacherous treatment slaves are enduring, he floods the audience with shame. He provides them with a chance to recall their moral standards and compare them to slavery. He questions them to evoke the truth that slavery is never justifiable. The denouement of his speech is that it is patent to his audience that celebrating freedom with slavery existing is atrocious and want to eradicate
It portrays America’s peerless zeal to defend its homeland and, in the course, its rights, its values, and its freedom that require such dear efforts to attain. Furthermore, it duly illustrates the many trials America is willing to face to create this new haven in which every person is free from persecution for following their perception of true freedom. However, the moral and humane laws of the Americans dictate the extension of freedom to others. Freedom, as the Americans come to believe, belongs to everyone. The most conspicuous example of America’s extending arms of compassion and equality is the Civil War. Of course, there is no obligation for America to fight a war against itself for the welfare of African Americans. Still, America is only abiding by its own set of ethical laws and the humanity that the Bible dictates. In comparison, the moral cause of this war is exceptionally similar to that in “The Star Spangled Banner”. Both of the conflicts involve America in an attempt to uphold its significant values and tenets through confiding in their religion. Both of the conflicts hail a future in which freedom shall govern this nation. Moreover, both of the conflicts prove America’s traditional values and faith apt to withstand wave after wave of bombardment without faltering. America is a separate little haven in which no limits exist to restrict the people’s religious faith or to hinder them from following their moral laws and values. “The Star
Ira Berlin (author of many thousands gone) starts this book off (in the prologue) by recalling a dispute some years ago over “who freed the slaves?” in the Civil War South. He was interviewed on Washington's public radio station about the meaning of “The Emancipation Proclamation”. He also addressed other familiar themes of the great document origin’s nature of the Civil War changing, the growing Black labor and the union's army’s dependence on it, the Evermore intensifying opposition to slavery in the North, and the interaction of military necessity an abolitionist idealism. He rehearsed the long established debate over the role of Abraham Lincoln, the radicals in Congress, abolitionists in the North, the Union army in the field, and slaves on the slaves on the plantations of the South in the destruction of slavery and in the authorship of legal freedom. During this debate he restated his position that “slaves played a critical role in securing their own freedom”.
Not so long ago few Americans spoke of slavery – which was swept under the rug until the civil rights movement in the 1950s. The shame of slavery gradually rose to public consciousness over the last five decades. Now the topic appears everywhere, in movies, television documentaries and academia. Nearly every major museum has mounted an exhibition on slavery. This issue has become an integral part of the foundation for understanding America’s past. With specific attributes, slavery is distinct from all other forms of oppression, giving it a unique place in human history. Many consider Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) as the best among anti-slavery propaganda that appeared with increasing frequency during the years preceding the Civil War. The primary reason of its appeal is the unsurpassed clarity of Douglass’ writing, which displays his superior sensitivity and intellectual capacity as he addresses the woeful irony of the existence of slavery in a Christian, democratic
Maggie Lauterer was an “everyday (wo)man” and Democrat from North Carolina who ran for Congress in 1994. She was the first woman to run for Congress from her district. In her town she was a well-known newscaster. She was asked to run by democratic leaders in her district. They wanted to use her popularity to get into Congress. The video contains many of what seem to be her campaign videos, which were taken from her home with her family or while she was doing regular household chores, while talking about her political views. It also includes her talking to the citizens about issues like gun control. She also sings “Amazing Grace” at a rally.
Today's world is filled with both great tragedy and abundant joy. In a densely populated metropolis like New York City, on a quick walk down a street you encounter homeless people walking among the most prosperous. Unfortunately, nine times out of ten the prosperous person will trudge straight past the one in need without a second thought. A serious problem arises when this happens continually. The problem worsens when you enter a different neighborhood and the well-to-do are far from sight. Many neighborhoods are inhabited only by the most hopeless of poverty - ridden people while others downtown or across the park do not care, or are glad to be separated from them. Such is the problem in New York City today and in Mott Haven in Jonathan
Douglass’s ethos is never more apparent than the preface preceding the story. This introductory note provides a rich background of Douglass’s life as a former slave and transformation into a famous abolitionist, serving as authentication that the piece was written by a literate and educated African American. For instance, in an excerpt
While reading Amazing Grace, one is unable to escape the seemingly endless tales of hardship and pain. The setting behind this gripping story is the South Bronx of New York City, with the main focus on the Mott Haven housing project and its surrounding neighborhood. Here black and Hispanic families try to cope with the disparity that surrounds them. Mott Haven is a place where children must place in the hallways of the building, because playing outside is to much of a risk. The building is filled with rats and cockroaches in the summer, and lacks heat and decent water in the winter. This picture of the "ghetto" is not one of hope, but one of fear. Even the hospitals servicing the neighborhoods
In his harsh, angry speech, Frederick Douglass mocks the audience in a fight against slavery. He makes considerably accurate and biting arguments towards those who regard slavery as an outstanding example of American freedom. “There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.” He modifies his statements through rhetorical strategies including tone, ethos, and pathos and creates a magnificently harsh speech worthy of fame.
“The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” is often told with a harsh and unemotional tone; it is this euphemistic style that gives the reader a keen insight into the writer's epoch as a slave in Maryland during the early 1800’s. Douglass never let us forget that his narrative was true, he wanted the readers to understand the truth that was Douglass's life, in addition the symbols and allusions that populate this book showing the intelligence and sophistication of the writer, while the detached writing also gives the reader another look into that time’s attitude and into Douglass’s own perception.
Slavery has always been viewed as one of the most scandalous times in American history. It may seem that the entire institution of slavery has been categorized as white masters torturing defenseless African Americans. However, not every slave has encountered this experience. In this essay I will focus on the life of two former slaves Harriet Smith and Mr. George Johnson and how in some cases their experience were similar as well as different in other aspects. The negative aspects of slave life were unquestionably heinous and for that reason especially, it is also important to also reveal the lives of slaves whom were treated fairly and with respect.
The Grace That Keeps This World by Tom Bailey revolves around a family from Lost Lake. It is narrated by the Hazen’s and people who impact their life in some way. Gary Hazen and his wife Susan have raised their sons to appreciate the strenuous but honorable way of living life. However, both sons eventually slip away as they struggle to find something more than their parents set up for them. Through the use of the tracks that Gary sets up for his family to live by, Bailey develops the randomness of life versus the attempt to control it.
“Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison perfectly depicts the cruelty African Americans have faced while striving to have a voice and equality. Readers are immediately introduced to the narrator and protagonist, a young black high school graduate. He has been invited to repeat his graduation speech in front of the leading white citizens of his segregated Southern town. Before being allowed to give his speech, the whites give him and nine other African American boys boxing gloves and blindfolds. They fight each other for the entertainment of the on looking whites; after, they’re led away to a rug covered in gold coins, but the rug is electrified and the whites watching try to force the boys to fall face first onto it as they chaotically scramble for
In August Wilde’s The Piano Lesson, we are exposed to an array of violence. The main female character, Berniece, has a particular view on the gendered world of male violence, that is seen throughout this play. She is frustrated at all the men in her life, even the ones that are deceased. In order to fully grasp the world that attitude Berniece has towards the male society we need to take a closer look at the men in her life. Through Berniece we learn the role of women in the community.
[4] A constant problem I find in slavery films is that the pro-slavery argument is made to look ridiculous, an illustration that lends itself to polarization, a problem certainly present in this film. White characters, whether sympathetic to their slaves or not, agree that the African is an inferior being, a savage privileged to be taught the civilization offered by slavery. The most blatantly ridiculous defender of the slave order is the Count. Believing what he says, the Count pushes on the slaves the idea that nature has made them inferior and that any ills brought on them are the result of their own folly. His world view is blatantly preposterous, making the institution ridiculous and oppressive.