Voices of Freedom articles.

“A Slave Describes the Middle Passage.”

Vocabulary:
Indulge: To yield to the desire or whim of; pamper.
Flog: To beat severely with a log or rod.
Loathsome: Repulsive or disgusting.

Summary:
This article is about a slave who was kidnapped and brought onto a slave ship. He didn’t know where he was. They put him below deck with many other slaves, and it smelled horrible. Some of the slaves managed to commit suicide, and if it weren’t for the crew stopping them, everyone else would have too because of the terrible conditions.


“A Slave’s Support For the Patriots.”

Vocabulary:
Grievance: A circumstance regarded as just cause for protest.
Unredressed: Cannot find.
Wanton: Immoral or unchaste; lewd.
Sway: To move or cause to move back and forth with a swinging motion.
Summary:
This is a poem. It is about slavery and how it affected many African Americans. And also it was about how African Americans were kidnapped from Africa and forced into a life of slavery they didn’t want.


“A Question of Slavery in the West.”

Vocabulary:
Unmolested: Still pure, un-tampered with.
Integrity: Strict personal honesty and independence.
Concession: The act of conceding.

Summary:
This article sounds like a speech given by someone living in the South, they say that they won’t give away slavery until they are fit to be a slave. I think they are mean and racist.


“The Dread Scott Decision: A Black View.”

Vocabulary:
Scandalous: Causing scandal.
Edict: An order given by a ruler or other high official, which must be obeyed by law.

Summary:
This is a speech by Fredrick Douglass. He is talking about the system of slavery and about how unjust the Supreme Court is. And if everyone thought the way the Supreme Court did, he might have to go to another country. He wants to over throw the system of slavery.


“Singing Praises of John Brown.”

Vocabulary:
Traitor: A person who betrays his or her country, friends, cause, ect.

Summary:
     This is a song about John Brown, and his attempt at a slave revolt. It is about how the slaves are proud of what he was trying to do, and how brave he was.