Phillis Wheatley: Great African Americans

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.

- Phillis Wheatley

(Inscribed on Phillis Wheatley’s Memorial)

Morning YPs!

         Day 3 of Black History Month! While doing research yesterday, I came across so many of the great contributions people of color have given to our country, Not just African-American, Asian, Latino, even Pacific Islander… Its amazing how we study history in HS and college and fail to recognize all the discoveries of our people.. I look back to all our accomplishments and I’m in awe..Have a wonderful day YPs be productive, and Remain Focused! Phillis Wheatley~ World Famous Poet~ Born in 1753 in Senegal, West Africa but sold into slavery at eight year old, Phillis Wheatley became the most famous female poet of the eighteenth century. At age thirteen years old and while still in slavery, Phillis Wheatley’s poems were being circulated throughout England. In 1770 her first poem was published in London entitled Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moral. In 1772, she was freed by her master, Mrs. S. Wheatley, and went to England. On bothsides of the Atlantic her poems won widespread admiration. In 1776, she wrote a poem entitled “To His Excellency General Washington.” After he read it, George Washington invited her to visit him at Cambridge. The abolitionists pointed to her skill as a poet as proof that Blacks were not inferior and should be freed. She died on December 5, 1784 in Boston, Massachusetts. Google her! Its worth it!

Peace and Blessings,

YPReiG, Young Professionals Guest Writer

Tagged as: Boston Women's Memorial, Great African Americans, Phillis Wheatley, Poetry