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Transcript

Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson

Presented by Corinne, John, Mackenzie, Will, Hayley.

Intro

Group Activity

Go to the table with the number that you got on the index card you picked and make a poster with your group expressing your view on the topic addressed on the index card.

Intro Benjamin Banneker

Introduction to Benjamin Banneker

Who Was Benjamin Banneker?

background

  • Benjamin Banneker was a son of former slaves and a self-taught farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

  • Thomas Jefferson was the Secretary of State to President George Washington, the writer of the Declaration of Independence, and also a slave owner.

Banneker's Letter

  • In 1791, Banneker wrote to Jefferson, citing that black people should be given equal rights as it is a God-given right.

Banneker's Letter

Declaration Of Independence

D.O.I.

  • Banneker quoted the Declaration of Independence by writing, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

Context

  • When Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. was under British rule and Americans had no rights.
  • Banneker compares his situation at the time of writing the letter to Jefferson to Jefferson's situation whilst being under British rule.

Group Discussion

  • Do you think Jefferson's actions are hypocritical?

Group Discussion

The Bible

BIBLE

  • Banneker alludes to the Bible by referring to the story of Job, a righteous man who endured much suffering.

Job Video

Job Video

Jefferson's Hypocrisy

  • Banneker thought it was hypocritical of Jefferson to have sympathy for Job, but not for his slaves.

Jefferson's Hypocrisy

Closing Socratic Questions

  • Do you think Banneker made a difference in civil rights with his letter to Jefferson?

Conclusion

  • How do you think this topic relates to situations happening today?
  • How did the use of the Declaration of Independence and the Bible support Banneker’s argument?
  • Do you think the allusion to Job was a valid comparison? Why or why not?
  • Was Banneker just in writing this letter to Jefferson? Why or why not?
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