Cassandra stein

Cassandra Stein The language of African-Americans, women, and the non-elites all shared the want and need for a more respected and better role that the United States claimed to be striving for, yet not allowing them to be a part of it. They incorporate the language and ideals that the fellow men of America are fighting for. African-Americans during this time, in what will become the United States, had a rough start. They went from having the rights of an indentured servant, to absolutely no rights at all. African-Americans were thought of strictly as slaves, or more of property. As the colonies began to turn in a series of events and thinking the British were turning into more of a corrupt society, people started screaming for liberty and justice; while owning slaves. Realizing the hypocrisy, African-Americans began to take a stand to rights. Using the new revolutionary language of equality that the Americans were preaching they began to petition. A petition that was given before independence in 1773, the words were wearier of insulting Massachusetts Court, “ We do not pretend to dictate to you Sir… We acknowledge our obligations to you for what you have already done…” This represents that they are writing that African-Americans ‘ understand’ where the Court and their masters are coming from. After the declaring the independence, African-American language in these petitions changed drastically. “… Petitioners apprehend that they hav in Common with all other men a Natual and Unali[en]able Right to freedom which the Great Parent of Unaver[universe] hath Bestowed equally on all mankind. ” This is a perfect example of African-Americans using the new independence driven language that was spreading like wild fire through the colonial men. Women in the colonies were not given a solid voice. During the time of the revolution they were educated with the sole purpose of being a mother to the coming nation and educating the sons of their world. “ You need not be told how much female Education is neglected, nor how fashionable it has been to ridicule it” Abigail Adams language say how known it is that the women do not receive equal rights in this area. Realizing the rights they deserve, they began to speak out. One topic in which people began to speak of was educating women: “…I claim for [women] the further right of being heard on a more public occasions — of addressing the reason as well as the fears of the other sex” Priscilla Mason spoke this in the year 1794 in not too kind words, they were more of the demanding sort; speaking on the rights that women deserve to be heard as well, no matter the sex. Pointing out that if given the opportunity the women will not fail. The idea that power should rest in hierarchical ways, was just the way of life. The family name or religion you were born with held the citizens place in the colony. The discontent with this caused people to start speaking out.