Preamble

David Walker addresses the “colored citizens” of the world, especially the African Americans in the United States, directly at the opening of the Appeal. Speaking urgently, he exhorts them to acknowledge the wrongs of slavery and the persecution they face. Walker attacks the system of slavery for dehumanizing African Americans in addition to its cruelty. He cautions that the institution of slavery is a pervasive societal evil as well as a personal tragedy for people.

Walker laments the hypocrisy of slaveholders who identify as Christians but act in ways that are in direct opposition to Christian values of equality, love, and compassion. He argues that the Bible opposes slavery and refutes the theological defenses offered by pro-slavery activists. Walker also reminds African Americans that they are on par with all other males and should not tolerate their dehumanization, appealing to their sense of dignity and self-worth. The Appeal’s tone is established in the preamble, which frames it as a call to action for African Americans to oppose slavery as well as a denunciation of it.

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Article 1: On the Present Condition of the Colored Citizens of the United States

Walker eloquently depicts the cruel treatment of African Americans in slavery in the United States, especially in the South, in the first piece. He describes how African Americans are subjected to physical and psychological violence, stripped of their fundamental human rights, and treated like property under slavery. Walker emphasizes how slaveholders have total control over their slaves, treating them like commodities and depriving them of any sense of identity or personal agency.

Walker highlights the moral decline of the enslaved people, whose opposition to slavery has been gradually undermined. He draws attention to the psychological repercussions of slavery, such as the forced acceptance of internalized inferiority by many enslaved individuals. However, he also urges African Americans to realize that they have the ability to fight back, insisting that they should not accept their fate. He exhorts them to reject the idea that they are less valuable than other races and to acknowledge that they are just as entitled to freedom as everyone else.

Walker also denounces white Americans’ involvement in the enslavement system. Although many white people do not actively participate in the cruelty of slavery, he contends that they profit from it and support it by remaining silent and unconcerned. He warns slaveholders that their acts would bring about their own demise and exhorts all African Americans, enslaved or free, to defend their rights.

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Article 2: On the Religious Justifications for Slavery

Walker challenges the theological defenses of slavery offered by many white Americans, especially slaveholders, in the second piece. Slaveholders frequently cited Christian doctrine to support their claims that African Americans were destined to be enslaved and that slavery was approved by God. Walker vehemently disagrees with these claims, contending that these readings of Christianity are twisted and at odds with the actual message of the Bible.

Walker notes that by exploiting and mistreating African Americans, many slaveholders—who identify as pious Christians—are committing serious crimes. He emphasizes that equality, compassion, and love—the exact tenets of slavery—are the cornerstones of authentic Christianity. In sharp contrast to the realities of slavery, Jesus exhorts African Americans to embrace the authentic, liberating ideals of Christianity. Additionally, he accuses the church of being corrupt and using religion as a means of tyranny in order to defend slavery.

Walker also attacks the moral and spiritual decline of a culture that permits such injustice to continue under the pretense of religious approval. He exhorts African Americans to embrace a faith that upholds justice and human dignity and to reject any theological doctrine that supports their enslavement.

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Article 3: On the Inequality and Injustice of Slavery

Walker explores the underlying unfairness and inequity of slavery in greater detail in the third piece, highlighting the fact that it is not only immoral but also essentially unfair. He makes reference to the hypocrisy of American culture, which maintains slavery while professing to support equality and freedom. Walker cites the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which asserts that “all men are created equal,” and highlights how African Americans are not granted this admirable principle. He contends that this discrepancy highlights the fundamental unfairness of slavery.

Walker continues by arguing that slavery is a human oppressive system that can be abolished rather than a system that is inherent or unavoidable. He talks on how slavery has historically existed in many cultures and eras, demonstrating that it is a universal evil rather than a necessary institution. He reminds African Americans that they are human and should have the same freedoms and rights as everyone else.

Reminding African Americans that they are not alone in their fight, he urges them to take urgent action and suggests that the moment has come for them to demand their freedom. Additionally, he appeals to white Americans’ moral conscience, urging them to acknowledge the wrongness of slavery and take action to put an end to it. Walker highlights that in order for African Americans to be free, they must act bravely and believe that their independence is a fair and moral cause.

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Article 4: On the Duty of the Colored People

Walker presents a call to action for African Americans in the fourth and last piece. He makes it very evident that freeing enslaved people is a shared obligation as well as an issue of personal freedom. He contends that in order to defend their freedom and dignity, African Americans must unite. Seeing violent resistance as a justifiable and essential reaction to their cruel treatment, he exhorts slaves to fight against their owners. Walker does not advocate violence in and of itself, but he does think it is acceptable if it results in the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of African Americans.

Walker also exhorts African Americans to band together and assist one another in their fight against slavery. He promotes the establishment of groups and networks dedicated to abolition and the betterment of African Americans’ lot in life. He emphasizes the value of education and self-awareness in this process, pointing out that African Americans can only fully escape the bonds of slavery via knowledge and unity.

Walker appeals to white Americans, telling them that the ongoing tyranny of African Americans would not go unopposed, and he also calls for slave resistance. If slavery continues, he says, there will inevitably be violent upheavals and turmoil, which would be bad for everyone. Before it’s too late, he exhorts white Americans to acknowledge the immorality of slavery.

Walker concludes by urging African Americans to be steadfast in their pursuit of justice and freedom. He maintains that people must not let inactivity, complacency, or fear stop them from standing out for their rights. African Americans may gain their freedom and eliminate slavery by uniting, taking action, and having moral bravery. Walker conveys a strong message at the end of the Appeal: the battle for freedom is a group effort for equality and justice that cuts beyond national boundaries, racial boundaries, and time.

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