Here are several examples of how free blacks actively protested slavery and became leaders in the abolition movement:
1. David Walker (1785-1830): Walker was a free Black man born in North Carolina. His pamphlet, "An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World", published in 1829, was a powerful and influential piece of abolitionist literature. It called for slaves to resist their masters and demanded immediate abolition of slavery.
2. Frederick Douglass (1818-1895): Douglass was a prominent free Black abolitionist leader and orator. He escaped from slavery in Maryland and became an influential voice for the abolitionist movement. Douglass's autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave", became a bestseller and shed light on the horrors of slavery. He actively participated in antislavery societies, lectured, and wrote extensively on abolition. Douglass was a gifted speaker who traveled across the country and abroad to raise awareness about the plight of enslaved people.
3. Harriet Tubman (1822-1913): Also known as "Moses" of her people, Tubman was an incredible conductor and leader of the Underground Railroad. Escaping slavery in Maryland, she went on to make 13 dangerous journeys back into the South to guide over 300 enslaved people to freedom. Tubman also worked as a scout, spy, and nurse during the Civil War while she continued to support and advocate for the abolitionist movement.
4. Sojourner Truth (1797 or 1799-1883): Born into slavery in New York, Isabella Baumfree took on the name Sojourner Truth in her later life. She became a powerful abolitionist and women's rights advocate, known for her iconic "Ain't I a Woman" speech delivered at a women's rights convention in 1851. Truth's commitment to abolishing slavery and fighting for suffrage made her a influential leader in both causes.
5. Henry Highland Garnet (1815-1882): A prominent Black minister, Garnet delivered one of the most radical abolitionist speeches of his time, entitled "An Address to the Slaves of the United States", at the 1843 National Negro Convention in Buffalo. He advocated for violent self-defense and immediate emancipation of slaves, which stirred considerable controversy but inspired many to join the abolitionist cause.
These are just a few examples of the many free blacks who played vital roles in the abolitionist movement. They risked their lives, faced discrimination and backlash, but remained committed to the cause of freedom and equality. Their contributions were instrumental in shaping public opinion and influencing the path towards the abolition of slavery in the United States.