They faced the challenges brought on by changes by appealing to both a white and black audience when addressing the public. Absalom Jones, the first African American clergyman, and Richard Allen, founder of the first independent black denomination in the United States, of Philadelphia appealed to the white public, even saying that African Americans should have a great deal of gratitude towards white people because even as they "have held us in captivity, [they] are now pleading our cause with zeal". (Doc. E) On the other hand, David Walker in "Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World" does exactly what the title says, appeals to the colored people. Walker rallies the slaves saying "...we must and shall be set free...", appealing to their want of freedom, telling them that there is no way they cannot be set free.(Doc. J) Another response of free African Americans was to petition to the government. An example of this is Paul Cuffe's petition in 1780 in
They faced the challenges brought on by changes by appealing to both a white and black audience when addressing the public. Absalom Jones, the first African American clergyman, and Richard Allen, founder of the first independent black denomination in the United States, of Philadelphia appealed to the white public, even saying that African Americans should have a great deal of gratitude towards white people because even as they "have held us in captivity, [they] are now pleading our cause with zeal". (Doc. E) On the other hand, David Walker in "Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World" does exactly what the title says, appeals to the colored people. Walker rallies the slaves saying "...we must and shall be set free...", appealing to their want of freedom, telling them that there is no way they cannot be set free.(Doc. J) Another response of free African Americans was to petition to the government. An example of this is Paul Cuffe's petition in 1780 in