Phillis Wheatley | The Most Important American You've Never Heard of
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- We hear about America's founding fathers, but where are the founding mothers? Phillis Wheatley is one. She might be the most important American you've never heard of.
Christine Lambie discussed this black woman who was enslaved as a child yet was able to go on to international fame.
We can see Scipio Moorhead's portrait of Phillis. It was rare to have a portrait of black people at the time she lived. She was seized aged 7 in Africa and transported to America on the brutal middle passage. On arrival she was sold as a slave. Phillis was the name of the ship she travelled on and Wheatley was the name of the family who bought her.
The Wheatley family gave her a remarkable education; by age 12 she was reading Greek and Latin. She got an education that would have been remarkable for a woman of any race. But she also had extraordinary aptitude. And by the age of 14 she was writing her own poetry.
Her poem On Imagination is the most anthologised of her works:
Imagination! Who can sing thy force?
Or who describe the swiftness of thy course?
Soaring through air to find the bright abode,
Th'empyreal palace of the thund'ring God…
We on thy pinions can surpass the wind,
And leave the rolling universe behind:
From star to star the mental optics rove,
Measure the skies, and range the realms above.
There in one view we grasp the mighty whole,
Or with new worlds amaze th'unbounded soul.
She also had a keen interest and involvement in current affairs, corresponding with King George, George Washington and Ben Franklin. She became the unofficial poet laureate of the new nation in the making that was America in the 1770s. Phillis even created in words the image of Columbia, the personification of America.
There's a frequent theme in her poetry of freedom. She was skilful in drawing parallels between the hunger for freedom of black slaves and the colonies wanting freedom from British rule.
The School of Philosophy and Economic Science offers courses in practical philosophy and economics with justice as well as other subjects. It aims to approach philosophy in a practical way, encouraging students to apply philosophy in their lives. The School also introduces a mindfulness-type exercise leading eventually to mantra meditation.
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© School of Philosophy and Economic Science.
Thanks to Richard Kigel for sharing his photos and also his excellent book, 'Heav'nly Tidings from the Afric Muse, The Grace and Genius of Phillis Wheatley'.
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A fascinating story beautifully expressed. Many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it - our pleasure!
Dearest Christine Judy and I love your videos but this one was outstanding. Like most Americans we never heard of this prodigy. We look forward to reading the book. In Love and Truth Sean & Judy Brennan
Sean and Judy - thanks so much for this kind comment. We're pleased to make known the story of this remarkable brave young woman.
Thank you for a beautiful presentation and bringing her to life. May we have many more. 👍🏼
More to come! Thanks so much!
Beautifully presented. Many thanks 😇
Glad you liked it - thanks for watching!
Thank you for this very informative short summary of the life and work of a great American genius.
Glad you enjoyed it! Great to hear you found it interesting too. Thanks for watching.
I found this most enlightening, thank you!😀
Thanks so much for this great comment - glad you enjoyed it.
Wonderful to hear this, among many of the magnificent stories from diverse sources, and thank you for the reference to be followed up. Researched with care and delivered beautifully. Many thanks.
Thanks so much for this great comment Elizabeth! Phillis' life and achievements really make a great story.
255 views as of now?! I’m shocked! What an amazing story about such an amazing young woman - and so wonderfully delivered! You’re so eloquent in your telling of this story. Severely underrated video!
Wow, thank you! What a great comment to read! Please do share it - it would be nice if Phillis' story was better known.
Thankyou
You’re welcome 😊
I received a wonderful detail today.
UA-cam "independently" offered me this video. I cannot ignore the title of the channel (school of philosophy and economic sciences) if I want - and I want - to comment on the first sentence, which introduces the concepts of Father and Mother. For every conversation, regardless of whether it is in a bar or in the "most prestigious" institution (are there any more prestigious institutions than a bar) - the introduction of these concepts enables the introduction of the highest levels of philosophizing.
The concept of Mother and Father - are constantly suppressed even though they are fundamental to any relationship between human beings. Why do you claim that Phyllis is one of the founding Mothers of Americans as a nation? I do not claim that it is not, I do not claim that it is either, I am asking you for the reasons for making your claim.
I also introduced the concept of "nation" in this text, which is constantly in an undefined relationship with the concept of "people", and I immodestly think that the concept of Mother and Father is also decisive in these concepts.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment. Phillis was the unofficial poet laureate of the new nation, and she created the image of Colombia. And it was amazing that against the backdrop of prejudice she corresponded with Washington et al. Sounds like you might enjoy the book!
Thanks for watching!