'On Being Brought from Africa to America' by Phillis Wheatley

'On Being Brought from Africa to America' by Phillis Wheatley

Politics and religion, Travel, colonialism and slavery, Language and ideas

One of her most celebrated works which addresses equality of the African-Americans under the white rule.

Phillis Wheatley

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral
(First Volume of Poetry by an African-American to be published)

London: Printed for A. Bell, bookseller, Aldgate
(Under the patronage of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon)

September 1, 1773

Riwayat Katia

Text

English

Poetry

It was the first piece of the African-American literature that addressed equality and supported human trafficking under the notion that it was being done in order to 'refine' the black slaves. It uses sarcasm to give the true incite of the happenings of black slavery as Phillis Wheatley wrote this poem during her enslavement.

'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refined and join the angelic train.