Introduction

• The first Black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was established in 1827 by Samuel Cornish and John Brown Russwurm. David Walker, an agent in Boston, played a significant role in distributing it and his powerful 1829 publication, Walker’s Appeal, demanded equality and inspired future rebellions.

Walker’s Appeal and Its Influence

• Walker’s Appeal was a revolutionary document demanding equality, with rhetoric reminiscent of Malcolm X.
• Tragically, Walker was found dead shortly after its publication.
• The Appeal inspired Nat Turner’s rebellion in the 1830s.

Historical References to Walker

1. From Plantation to Ghetto by August Meier & Eliot Rudwick:
   • Quotes Walker: “If Whites refused to grant emancipation voluntarily, Blacks should break the eternal chains by armed rebellion.”
2. Before the Mayflower by Lerone Bennett:
   • Describes Walker’s impact with vivid metaphors, referring to him as the “John the Baptist of the Anti-Slavery Crusade.”
   • Criticized for its non-scholarly style but offers a rich narrative.
3. From Slavery to Freedom by John Hope Franklin:
   • Uses scholarly language to describe Walker’s work as “one of the most vigorous denunciations of slavery ever printed in the US.”
   • Preferred in academic settings for its cautious, footnoted approach.

Conclusion

• The diverse treatments of Walker’s Appeal highlight different historical perspectives.
• Walker’s work remains a seminal piece in the abolition movement, demonstrating the varied ways history can be interpreted and presented.