Journal:Collins, Jefferson & Hemings

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A

November 22, 2011

Journal:

READING #1:  Online excerpts from The Trouble with Tom Chapter One, "The End." Paul Collins

READING #2 is a video!  Watch all four parts of the PBS Front Line Documentary on Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings entitled Jefferson's Blood

Author Quote:”A typical book about America founding father doesn’t start in a gay piano bar and almost end in a sewage ditch. But then, Tomas Paine wasn’t your typically founding father.”

Internet Quote: “It seems like that way of life is being taken away. It's a different world now.”

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: The trouble with Tom is that he wasn’t typical, he did not fit in societies, he was the one to push all the buttons and ask all the questions, and take on the trial and tribulations to get there, his troubles were not common, his way of thinking was not common, his actions were not common, yet he was among the founding fathers.

My thoughts: It seems that Paine could of used Jefferson’s advice by, rewriting history  to his liking. Although, Paine had a powerful a role in history similar to Jefferson, he did not take the same precaution to insure his legacy. I was thinking about this point, that if it was truly important to him, he could of revived his accomplishments in his later years, and established himself in history as a hero.  However, unlike Jefferson I do not think he cared what people thought of him, he suffered in the cold winter of the war writing “these are trying times for men’s souls” because he thought it was important for people to know what was going on, not so he would be famous. And with this in mind he did accomplished what he set out to do in life, being the voice of others who are scared to speak. And now he is unburied, unknown, and being sought out by curious authors like Paul Collins who want to know what really happened, and to revive his legacy of the man who coined the phrase “United States of America.” But, Jefferson on the other hand would prefer to let thing lay as they are in the typical history book, being a political type he cared everything about what people thought of him, and because of his habits he had secrets, lots of them, and he spent a good amount of time keeping them under wraps and in his later years he did make it a point to lock the skeltons in the closet until he was long gone. I think Jefferson was quite afraid of being exposed, why else would he build such an extravagant home with secret paths for the slaves, or ship off with to Paris with his slave Sally Hemings who was 15 years of age, who was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife and became pregnant by Jefferson in Paris.  Hmmm? I didn’t read that in my history book. But because he was (and still is) well loved in America’s eyes these little oddities are over looked. And he will always be remembered as one of America’s best founding fathers.

Journal: Jonathan Edwards

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: Jonathan Edwards
November 22, 2011


Author Quote: “Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it;”

Internet Quote: “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Edwards is imploring with his listeners, trying to press upon them that their sinful ways are a burden to earth and all it stands for, and if it wasn’t for gods patience you would already be sent to the depth of hell.

My thoughts: Hmmm. This is a difficult subject for me, my first thoughts were to lock this wacko up before he has everyone in his congregation commit suicide in the name of God. It always surprises me when I come across someone as brilliant as Edwards, only to find that their narrow mindedness gets the better of them. From my perspective, I can see that religion helps many people, those who are incapable of guiding themselves through life. I feel, similar to Thomas Paine that in most cases, common sense needs to be taught, hence his essay, and in a round about way having a religion can help teach those who are struggling to find direction, give hope, and find peace within themselves. (I get that). However, those same type of people who are exposed to the likes of Edwards are susceptible to grave many thoughts. If Edwards has them believe they are doomed to die as sinners “your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead” And, if they do not exists souly for Gods bidding (Edward’s bidding), they will “plunge into the bottomless gulf” in hell. I have a bone to pick with the power hungry, bible thumping, authoritarian, “spider”, playing on the adolescents mind of the naive. It was Edwards web that was collecting the souls of the unconscious, playing on their superstition and fears. Edwards would feast on the struggling ”if God should withdraw His hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling” I can not imagine heaviness of guilt the people of his congregation endured during his rein. When they talk of “the fear of god” it was the likes of Edwards who they coined the phrase for.

Journal:Thomas Jefferson

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal:Thomas Jefferson
November 16, 2011

Author Quote: At this very time too, they are permitting their chief magistrate to send over not only soldiers of our common blood, but Scotch and foreign mercenaries to invade and destroy us. These facts have given the last stab to agonizing affection, and manly spirit bids us to renounce forever these unfeeling brethren.

Internet Quote: As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also.

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Jefferson is eloquently stating that America has tolerated Britain abuse long enough and can no longer lay still while they send soldiers and mercenaries to invade and destroy our people, despite the original roots of our acquaintance. He wishes to enlighten the people with questions of Americas desires to be independent from Britain, helping to establish  reason for the separation. 

My thoughts: Who could blame America for wanting to live peaceably, it seemed no matter any attempt to flourish was claimed, taken &  taxed by the British. These Americans are not light hearted, they are adventurers! They left Britain and all that was familiar to them, in hopes for a new way of life, and being forced to live under Britain rule on American soil seems odd and unorthodox. However, perhaps if Britain was less ruthless and demanding on America, and treated us like they would truly treat their own, not as a slave, an obligatory country to do with as you will, a compromise might have been met. The men who constructed The Declaration of Independence, were reasonable people with reasonable request. The ideas brought up were meant for fairness, prosperity and protection of the American people. Innocent people died for this country, Nathan Hale is an amazing example of dedication to the cause, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”. And, there were countless others, thousands dieing on Britain Prison Ships, as well as on American soil fighting for justice, and for freedom. Jefferson’s fifty year career in Government,  played a key role in the American Revolution and paving the road for the new frontier of the United States of America. It was Thomas Jefferson who commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition, it was he who drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. He is a true American hero. Where are our heros of today?Where is our Thomas Jefferson of today, to draft a plan for of success instead of default for America.

Journal: Thomas Paine

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: Thomas Paine
November 14, 2011

Author Quote: “But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then are you unworthy the name of husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever may be your rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant”

Internet Quote:  “All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.”

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Thomas Paine is implicating that those citizens of America who are for the reconciliation either do not have all the information, haven’t thought about the suffering of citizens who are stuck in the middle of this harassment in Boston, and are heartless scoundrels.

My thoughts: I think Thomas Paine has a remarkable stance on the reconciliation, however I feel he has an up hill battle, people do not like change. I thought he was very clever to elaborate the difference about the benefits of being independent from Great Britain. Establishing in his argument the protection that Great Britain provides is not for the benefit of America, it is to providing a dominating strategy for the Brittan import/export empire. I believe without Paine illistraighting the true purpose of Brittan’s protection, it is easily thought otherwise. Paine wisely personalizes his argument against the Britain occupation in Boston, appealing to the individual listener, even though they may not be directly effected, he engages his listener with familiar heart felt realities of the victims. If he just stated that a town was over run by the British army, it’s easy to not put much thought to it. However, stating you are unworthy to call yourself a husband, father, brother etc. if you do nothing. With Paine’s personality and directness I believe he brought many people to action. I would also like to think that it was he who anonymously published an essay proposing the emancipation of African slaves and the abolition of slavery, “published on March 8, 1775 in the Postscript to the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser” He was the type to stir the pot and poke at the white elephant in the corner, he was some one to cause you to pause and take notice, I like that. I feel Paine was before his time, people of today are more tolerant toward objections to religion, politics, and raging arrogant ass ranting like he. I can imagine if he would be around today, he most likely would have his own talk show with many of us listing.

Journal: Phillis Wheatley

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: Phillis Wheatley
November 10, 2011

Author Quote:
Should you, my lord, while you peruse my song,
Wonder from whence my love of Freedom sprung,
Whence flow these wishes for the common good,
By feeling hearts alone best understood,
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatch'd from Afric's fancy'd happy seat:

Internet Quote:
“Phillis Wheatley was the first published African-American poet and first African-American women whose writings helped create a genre of African American literature.”

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Phillis is preying for her freedom to the lord, explaining the reason for where her wishes stem from. She was kidnapped from home in Africa, where she lived happily with her family. Talking with the lord she believes children like her, who have experienced what she has, share the common loneliness and wishes only to end the cruelty bestowed on her.


My thoughts: I feel Phyllis is an remarkable person, a prodigy I think I read. Grant it, she did have a better opportunity than most, living with the family she did, investing in her education. However, it was entirely her imagination and creativity to develop the skill of writing poetry. And she had an astonishing amount of accomplishments, being the first African American to publish a book and first African American woman to earn a living from her writing.
“Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Savior too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,”
“Their color is a diabolic dye.”

Journal: Olaudah Equiano

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford

English 48A
Journal: Olaudah Equiano
November 7, 2011

Author Quote: “Though you were early forced from my arms, your image has been always riveted in my heart, from which neither time nor fortune have been able to remove it;

”Internet Quote: "The first object which saluted my eyes when I arrived on the coast was the sea, and a slave ship, which was then riding at anchor, and waiting for its cargo. These filled me with astonishment, which was soon connected with terror, when I was carried on board. I was immediately handled, and tossed up to see if I were sound, by some of the crew; and I was now persuaded that I had gotten into a world of bad spirits, and that they were going to kill me."

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Olaudah is describing the last moments of which he sees his sister, and no matter what else has occurred in his life the wound of their separation will never heal.

My thoughts: I find the way Olaudah told his story very captivating. I found  myself immediately taken with terror, imagining the author distress as he and his sister were taken from his family. Olaudah does this not for pity, but to set the tone, knowing most reader can relate to this scenario. As a parent it is one of my biggest fear, to have my child, or any ones child kidnapped. Perhaps, for this reason Olaudah’s fears are bonded with us intimately, creating more of a connection to the story. The loss of a loved one is a timeless tragedy and can happen to anyone, young, old, rich, poor, black or white. However, with the other parts of the story, most of us can scarcely imagine the reprehensible terror of slavery, even though he briefly describes a few incidents, that regrettably happened so frequently, it lacks the readers experience of fear. The actual nightmare of Olaudah and the inhumane treatment of those slaves is in the distant past.   And, the inability to help helpless women being raped and beaten, men flogged to almost their death, the inhabitable quarters of the slaves on the slave ships, living in constant fear of your master or any white man who walk the earth, being in constant hunger and pain, all of these conditions can only be imagined with the vaguest of thought, and a hint of fear or humility. I feel Olaudah makes a few good attempts to bring the reader closer to the fear involved, for example when he is was forcible separated from his sister, after the kidnapping, the thought of these children and hope scared they must have been leaves me with tears. And this is just one nail in the coffin, Olaudah comment about images riveting his heart, his story will inevitably touch every readers heart.

Journal: William Apess

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: William Apess
November 3, 2011

Author Quote: “Can you charge the Indians with robbing a nation almost of their whole continent, and murdering their women and children, and then depriving the remainder of their lawful rights, that nature and God require them to have?”

Internet Quote: "I felt convinced that Christ died for all mankind – that age, sect, color, country, or situation make no difference. I felt an assurance that I was included in the plan of redemption with all my brethren."

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Apess judiciously uses the bible for his argument against the white man. Chastising them and pointing out that the abomination of the Native American, goes against what is written in the Bible. insinuating that these white slave owners have questionable practices and beliefs of the bible.

My thoughts: Hypocrisy is the first thought I have, I do not enjoy this part of American history. I believe the Native Americans have suffered the most in the course of history, their culture to me is the purest and closest to nature. For generation they treaded lightly on this earth, taking only what was needed and appreciating the rest. Enjoying nature in it’s undisturbed beauty, preserving it for future generations. Then the white man comes leaving destruction in his path, blind to all that they destroy. It drives me crazy to think that these bible believing folks, who feel what they preach is best for all. The Native Americans were peaceful people, thriving on the land for thousands of years, with generations of skill and knowledge of farming, hunting, and medicine.  It is difficult for me to see how the white man came to this nation and acted as he did with a clear conscience after building towns on the native land, depleting the forest of the Native Americans, capturing them as slaves, kidnapping the boys, killing the innocent women and children. All in the name of the lord? I know there were a few gentle spirits like Ms.Bird in “Uncle Tom’s cabin”, she stood up for feeding and clothing a run away slave, but I would much rather seen action like John Brown to draw attention to the injustice that was being done, preserving beautiful cultures and lifestyle of Native American Indians. If these bible believing folks treated everyone like a brother, as the bible says they should, thousands of lives would have been saved.

Journal: Margaret Fuller Ossoli

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: Margaret Fuller Ossoli
November 1, 2011

Author Quote: “What woman needs is not as a woman to act or rule, but as nature to grow, as an intellect to discern, as soul to live freely, and unimpeded to unfold such powers as were given her when we left our common home.”

Internet Quote: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Margaret Fuller is describing the true essence of a woman and the essentials for contentment. A woman loves to nurture her children and those around her, same as the sun feeds the earth. She knows her experience she shares helps shapes, and teach those close to her. And, having this opportunity to see her efforts of knowledge grow and flourish feeds her soul.

My thoughts: Learning of Margaret Fuller is inspiring, I have found that in this day and age of freedom for women, I have placed boundaries of my own limits in life. She reminds me of when I was young and I thought of all the amazing things I wanted to do when I grew up. Except with Margaret she did not listen to the sounds of society shaping her ideas of what she can and can not do. She knew knowledge is power and wanted to share what she could with those women around her, to strengthen the voices, and build the confidence for those contributing members of society. Breaking the mold and heading into a new frontier for woman and this nation. I believe with her strict upbringing by her father, she probable did not enjoy the long hours of study, however looking back on her career, she now has the ultimate freedom, the gift for language. Margaret’s direction and guidance to the women in the “conversations” classes, paved the way for other women to gain the confidence and awareness to discern their needs and desire. It is alarming that someone as assertive and powerfully motivating as Margaret Fuller could be easily lost in history. As a young girl, when I was in search for a mentor, a model, I wish I could have known of her and her courageous life, seeing the advantages of knowledge, learning that the voice of one woman can make a difference. That is the type woman our girls need to learn about. Now that I can see how helpful it might of been for me, I will be introducing her to my friends and family, helping to keep her tradition alive among women.