William Lloyd Garrison
I am William Lloyd Garrison; an abolitionist.
A1: In 1831, I launched an abolitionist Newspaper called the Liberator. I also co founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society.
I once wrote in my Newspaper:
“ Let southern oppressors tremble- let all the enemies of the persecuted blacks tremble… On this subject, I do note wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! No! No! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm… but urge me not to use moderation cause like the present. I am in earnest- I will not equivocate- I will not excuse – I will not retreat a single inch- AND I WILL BE HEARD.”
Frederick Douglas
I am Frederick Douglas; and abolitionist and ex-slave
A1: While enslaved I broke the law by learning to read.
A2: I gave many speeches in my life as a slave. I also published an abolitionists newspaper called the North Star.
In 1842, I told a one crowd:
“I appear this evening as a thief and a robber, I stole this head, these limbs, this body from my master, and ran off with them.”
Harriet Tubman
I am Harriet Tubman; an ex-slave and conductor of the Underground Railroad.
A1: I escorted more than 300 people to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
A2: My nickname is Black Moses.
A3: In some cases certain songs were sung to send messages on how to travel to a safe place.
Here is an example some of the words from a song encouraging slaves to escape to freedom:
“The riverbank makes a very good road. The dead trees will show you the way. Left foot, peg foot, traveling on, If you follow the drinking gourd”
Sojourner Truth
I am Sojourner Truth; ex-slave, abolitionist, and advocate for women’s rights.
A1: No, my birth name is Isabella Baumfree. I took the name Sojourner Truth in belief that the Holy Spirit gave me this name.
A2: I became a preacher and then joined the Abolitionist movement. I then started to speak out for women’s rights.
In one of my most famous speeches I spoke:
"Den dat little man in black dar, he say women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wan't a woman! Whar did your Christ come from?"
Lucretia Mott
My name Lucretia Mott and I support the anti-slavery movement. I am also a supporter of women’s rights.
A1: My religious background has given me the strength to fight my cause. Women Quakers were allowed to take public roles that other religions prohibited.
A2: I was infuriated when denied entrance into an international convention against slavery in London. I decided to do something about my frustration.
A3: I helped set up a convention for women’s right in Seneca Falls, New York in which over 300 men and women attended.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
I am Elizabeth Cady Stanton; women’s rights advocate.
A1: I worked with Lucretia Mott to set up a convention in Seneca Falls, New York where we spoke out for women’s rights.
A2: I also wrote a Declaration of Sentiments which was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration demanded equal rights for women in every area of life.
I wrote:
“We hold these truth to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal.”
Susan B. Anthony
I am Susan B. Anthony; a women’s rights activist.
A1: I worked very closely with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Together we founded the National Women’s Suffrage Association.
A2: One of the accomplishment I am most proud of is the fact the I with Stanton convinced New York legislature to pass a law protecting women’s rights.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am Ralph Waldo Emerson; a transcendentalist.
A1: Transcendentalism was a movement that sought to explore the relationship between humans and nature through emotions rather than reason.
A2: I, being a transcendentalist, urge people to live and seek beauty, goodness and truth within their own souls. I believe materials goods do not define a person. I challenge people to find their “inner light.”
Henry David Thoreau
I am Henry David Thoreau; transcendentalist.
A1: I was heavily influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson, so I spent two years of my life living in the woods are Waldo pond living with and mediating on nature.
A2: I realized that material possessions that people of this country have learned to be accustomed to are not at all valuable.
I wrote in my 1854 book, Walden:
“Most of the luxuries, and many so-called comforts of life, are not only indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of the mankind.”
Herman Melville
I am Herman Melville; a writer.
A1: I, along with Nathaniel Hawthorne am fascinated by psychology and extreme emotions.
A2: I wrote the novel, Moby Dick. It tells the story of a sea captain’s mad pursuit of a white whale.
Nat Turner
I am Nat Turner; escaped slave and revolutionist.
A1: In 1831 I led a revolt against slavery. I escaped from my own slavery and traveled from house to house helping other slaves escape as well.
A2: We had to kill any white person that got in our way.
A3: Oh no, I was captured month later and hung for my revolt.
Denmark Vesey
I am Denmark Vesey: ex-slave and revolutionary.
A1: No, I actually bought my freedom. I won a city lottery of 1,500$ in 1799. I made my living as a carpenter.
A2: I didn’t feel I was contributing to my people. I had to help free them.
A3: My plan was to seize the city of Charleston by slaying all masters and then we would sail to Haiti to escape retaliation. My plan did not work, for a few slaves told the maters what we were planning. I was sentenced to death.