A former slave's response to a letter from his former master asking him to return to work. There's something especially disturbing about the matter-of-fact-ness of the correspondence.
This makes me want to see more personal accounts of slavery. I think the tone of the letter, for me, was one of self respect - he no longer had to just take what was offered. I want more! Where did you find this? I hope it gets AOTD - it deserves it!
No idea where I found it! I have a page of notes on my iPad where I save highlights from articles of things I want to read or search for later. That website was in there for over a year but it wasn't compatible with Readup until what must have been a relatively recent redesign that they did.
Wow, gripping. This letter turns from familiar reminiscence to pure acid.
And what a time to read it: I started reading A People's History of the United States yesterday. Now I'm at the initial chapters on slavery. Good context here.
Also: from the the title I was expecting to read something about a martial artist student whose aged master died of corona. I'm happy it wasn't. Readup has a knack of balancing the old & gold with the current :) Thanks Jeff!
I would love to read the response , if there is one, from colonel Anderson. I recall reading letters of soldiers during the civil war and being amazed by the language of that time. They were so dignified and intelligent and poetic at times. I would wonder how our present language was so different and had changed so much in a century.
Wow, SO powerful! Letters are incredibly personal and revealing. This one tells me of an intelligent, strong, forgiving, kind and capable man continuing to make his family his priority with complete dignity and self respect. If I were Jourdon, I’d stay in Ohio! I would love to know how Colonel Anderson responded. I would imagine quite shocked.
A former slave's response to a letter from his former master asking him to return to work. There's something especially disturbing about the matter-of-fact-ness of the correspondence.
This makes me want to see more personal accounts of slavery. I think the tone of the letter, for me, was one of self respect - he no longer had to just take what was offered. I want more! Where did you find this? I hope it gets AOTD - it deserves it!
https://lettersofnote.com/ Really amazing website!
Amazing! I just subscribed. But how did you find even the website? I am thrilled about this. Dear God, Readup is a treasure, as are you - ha!
No idea where I found it! I have a page of notes on my iPad where I save highlights from articles of things I want to read or search for later. That website was in there for over a year but it wasn't compatible with Readup until what must have been a relatively recent redesign that they did.
Masterfully written. I'd have loved to have seen Colonel Anderson's reaction!
Wow, gripping. This letter turns from familiar reminiscence to pure acid.
And what a time to read it: I started reading A People's History of the United States yesterday. Now I'm at the initial chapters on slavery. Good context here.
Also: from the the title I was expecting to read something about a martial artist student whose aged master died of corona. I'm happy it wasn't. Readup has a knack of balancing the old & gold with the current :) Thanks Jeff!
I would love to read the response , if there is one, from colonel Anderson. I recall reading letters of soldiers during the civil war and being amazed by the language of that time. They were so dignified and intelligent and poetic at times. I would wonder how our present language was so different and had changed so much in a century.
Wow, SO powerful! Letters are incredibly personal and revealing. This one tells me of an intelligent, strong, forgiving, kind and capable man continuing to make his family his priority with complete dignity and self respect. If I were Jourdon, I’d stay in Ohio! I would love to know how Colonel Anderson responded. I would imagine quite shocked.