David Walker

“Are we men!!—I ask you, O my brethren! are we MEN? Did our Creator make us to be slaves to dust and ashes like ourselves?”

“I will ask one question here.—Can our condition be any worse?--Can it be more mean and abject? If there are any changes, will they not be for the better, though they may appear for the worst at first?”

“There is a great work for you to do... You have to prove to the Americans and the world, that we are MEN, and not brutes, as we have been represented, and by millions treated.”

“For my own part, I am glad Mr. Jefferson has advanced his positions for your sake; for you will either have to contradict or confirm him by your own actions, and not by what you say.”

“Let no man of us budge one step, and let slave-holders come to beat us from our country. America is more our country, than it is the whites—we have enriched it with our blood and tears.”

“Treat us like men, and there is no danger but we will all live in peace and happiness together.”

“Remember, Americans, that we have and must be free and enlightened as you are, will you wait until we shall, under God, obtain our liberty by the crushing arm of power?”

“It is no more harm for you to kill a man, who is trying to kill you, than it is for you to take a drink of water when thirsty.”

“The bare name of educating the coloured people, scares our cruel oppressors almost to death.”

“Now, I ask you, had you not rather be killed than to be a slave to a tyrant, who takes the life of your mother, wife, and dear little children?”

“If you commence, make sure work—do not trifle, for they will not trifle with you—they want us for their slaves, and think nothing of murdering us in order to subject us to that wretched condition—therefore, if there is an attempt made by us, kill or be killed.”

“I call upon you therefore to cast your eyes upon the wretchedness of your brethren, and to do your utmost to enlighten them—go to work and enlighten your brethren!”