Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter
Speech given during the annual meeting of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society attended mostly by members of the Society of Friends. The speaker describes the progress and successes of the abolition movement throughout the world.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 4,506 word document (text and images)
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Title: Aliened American - April 9, 1853
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Aliened American (1853 - 1877)
The editor announces with this the first issue of the Aliened American newspaper its mission statement; community goals; and the names of contributing writers and supporters.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
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Title: Black Republican - April 15, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Black Republican (1865)
The editor welcomes his readers to the first issue of the newspaper. He briefly explains the goals, benefits and mission of the paper.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Reason, Charles Lewis, 1818-1893
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Speech dedicating a library for the Institute for Colored Youth stressing the benefits of education to the elevation of the race.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,096 word document (text and images)
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Title: Christian Recorder - March 19, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
The writer discusses the benefits of education. Education, he believes, offers not just a way of learning a trade and contributing to society, but a way of knowing and living a truly moral life.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Colored American - April 11, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer lists the benefits of the Colored American newspaper, and offers its pledge to continue to serve the African American community.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - April 18, 1840
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer explains a form of gambling called "policy gambling" (a type of lottery) to his readers. He warns them of the risks and shame involved in this type of vice.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Colored American - April 19, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer stresses the benefits of civil rights. While they live in a racially restricted society, most African Americans in New York are not taking advantage of the civil rights they do have. He also stresses the benefits of farming and owning land.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - April 22, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer cautions his readers to be aware of how society perceives them and to always present a moral, responsible, and industrious appearance. He urges them to not present any reason for negative judgment from others.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - April 24, 1841
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer tells his readers that the only way for African Americans to find a better place in society is through "elevation" and improvement through a strong morality, education, and commitment to the cause of freedom. He emphasizes that these goals can only succeed if all African Americans work together.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - August 12, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
In an effort to help, the friends of free African Americans are pushing them through an inadequate education and sending them into a prejudiced society unprepared for the challenges that await them there. By assuming that African Americans are not capable of more than this, those who are acting on their behalf, are doing more harm than good, even though their intentions are well meaning.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - August 26, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer gives a brief overview of a convention he attended in Philadelphia. He shares some of the highlights of the speeches he heard there.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - August 26, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer relates an experience from his attendence at the Moral Reform Society convention concerning a discussion on the term "Colored" used as reference to African Americans. A Quaker woman stood and told her audience to emphasis the virtue and morality in their lives and prejudice against race will disappear. She reminded them that "it is virtue that exalts a nation, and merit which makes the man."
Description of file(s): one scanned, one colunned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - December 2, 1837
Speaker or author: Ray, Charles B. (Charles Bennett), 1807-1886
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer reports on African American libraries, schools, and churches he visited while in Philadelphia.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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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 - February 16, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer suggests that since African Americans prefer to stay in the U.S., their native land, their efforts should go towards improvement of their situation here and the elevation of the race overall.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Colored American - February 16, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer comments on a philanthropic enterprise that selects African American youth to enter specialized education. He believes that while white philanthropists mean well, they often select young men who are not the best representatives of the race.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - February 23, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer offers a suggestion to the state legislature to change the requirements for voting so that every African American male who has reached the age of 21 and pays $100 yearly rent can vote. This would replace the current $250 real estate requirement.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Colored American - February 3, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer stresses the importance of the newspaper and the African American press not only as a way of communicating on important subjects, keeping informed about national events, and educating the community, but as a means of strengthening the social bond among members of an oppressed race.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - January 13, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
On the anniversary of the newspaper's existence, the editor looks back on the accomplishments of its past and the hopes for its future.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - January 20, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer encourages his readers to take advantage of lectures and other opportunities to improve their minds and the condition of their lives. Work in this direction benefits not only those who pursue it but generations of African Americans to follow.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - January 20, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer encourages his readers to attend lectures offered at the Philomathean Society. The lectures are educational, inexpensive, and one of the few privileges enjoyed by the African American community.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - January 27, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer encourages his readers to help each other and the community of African Americans rather than concentrating on selfish gain. By working together for the common good, the African American community is more likely to succeed and the poorest among them more likely to survive.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - July 15, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his belief that in order to overcome prejudice, African Americans must focus on "elevation" and "improvement" intellectually and morally. The focus must be on education, economy, temperance, and on living a moral life.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - July 20, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer encourages his readers to read more in order to keep current with scientific and social advances. But he also encourages them to read more in order to continue to educate themselves (both spiritually and socially) and to reinforce the solid connection with their community.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page