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Title: Colored American - April 29, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor comments on an editorial previously printed regarding a plea for funding to establish a "Colored Orphanage." While he believes this is motivated by good people seeking to help orphaned black children, he wondered why a separate institution must be established to divide children by race. There are many already established orphanages that would be suitable if it weren't for an underlying racial prejudice in this plan.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Colored American - February 10, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer urges his readers to respect themselves first in order to respect others. He notices that well-meaning friends of African Americans often encourage them to return to Africa. By assuming that the African American can do no more for him/herself in this country than become a burden on society, these friends do more harm than good, even though their positive intentions are not in doubt. Without encouragement from society, the African American is left to doubt his/her own worth.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - June 2, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer tells his readers that those opposed to the work of abolitionists have accused them of increasing prejudice. He believes the only change that may be influencing prejudice is that the rights provided to African Americans in the past as "favors" are now demanded by them as part of their civil rights as members of a free society. The shift in perspective is proving difficult for some white citizens to make.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - March 3, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor informs his readers of the passing of Mr. Samuel Emlin. He talks about the money Mr. Emlin left in his will to be used towards the education of African American youth.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Provincial Freeman - January 3, 1857
Speaker or author: Cary, Mary Ann Shadd, 1823-1893
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer offers a "tongue in cheek" response to recently received "old clothes" for those of African descent living in Chatham. She notes that while there are poor of other nationalities living in parts of the U.S., no one sends them old clothes. Yet the assumption is that if you are black and living in Canada you must be poor enough to need cast-off clothing. This is not necessarily the case.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Weekly Advocate - January 28, 1837
Speaker or author: Sears, Robert
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Advocate (1837)
The writer emphasized the "absurdity" of a country based on the ideas of freedom, yet continuing to maintain a system of slavery. He said, "Intelligence without virtue is no security," and suggested a stronger moral conscience for the country.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)