Tag Archives: Black lives

Jupiter Hammon

An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York

“An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York” (1786)

by Jupiter Hammon

At the age of 76, Hammon delivered this speech to a group of free and enslaved Black individuals at the founding meeting of the African Society in New York City. In it, he does not call for immediate emancipation but urges younger generations to pursue spiritual freedom and prepare for eventual liberation. He states that in heaven, there would be no judgment based on race or status, offering a hopeful vision of justice that deeply resonated with his audience. 

This address became one of his most widely circulated works. It was printed and shared by abolitionist groups including the New York Quakers and the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, increasing Hammon’s visibility across the Northeast. This  is Hammon’s most powerful critique of slavery and vision for freedom.

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Jupiter Hammon

An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley

“An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley” (1778)

by Jupiter Hammon

This poem, composed while in Hartford, was dedicated to Phillis Wheatley, a fellow Black poet and devout Christian. Although the two never met, Hammon admired Wheatley’s work. His poem to her includes twenty-one four-line stanzas, each paired with a verse from the Bible. The address encourages her to continue writing and stay true to her Christian faith. It also shows Hammon’s belief in the power of Black literature to inspire and guide others. The poem highlights the intellectual exchange between early Black writers. Continue reading An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley →