Laurence Fishburne reads a former slave's incredible letter to his old master

Letters Live

9 Nov 202306:30

Summary

TLDRIn this powerful letter from a former slave to his ex-master, the author expresses mixed feelings of relief and apprehension upon receiving an invitation to return. He recounts past mistreatment and the fear of retribution, while also detailing his current, improved circumstances with a stable income and education for his children. The letter concludes with a request for fair compensation for years of unpaid labor, reflecting a poignant struggle for justice and a better life.

Takeaways

📜 The letter is a response from a former slave to his old master, reflecting on their past relationship and current circumstances.
💌 The former slave expresses relief that his old master was not punished by the Yankees and is still alive.
🔫 There is a reference to past violence, with the former slave mentioning being shot at by his master.
🏡 The former slave expresses a desire to return to his old home and see familiar faces, indicating a sense of nostalgia.
💰 The letter discusses wages and the financial aspect of the former slave's life, showing a shift from a non-compensated laborer to a paid worker.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The former slave has a family, with children attending school and showing potential for future careers, highlighting the importance of education.
🙏 There is a request for proof of kindness and justice from the old master, indicating a need for trust and security before considering a return.
📊 A detailed calculation of wages owed for years of service is presented, showing a clear expectation of compensation for past labor.
🏫 The former slave inquires about the availability of schools for colored children, emphasizing the importance of education for his offspring.
✉️ The letter ends with a request for a response that addresses concerns about safety and education, and a plea for the old master to acknowledge past wrongs.

Q & A

Who is the author of the letter?
-The author of the letter is Jordan Anderson, a former slave.
To whom is the letter addressed?
-The letter is addressed to Colonel pH Anderson, Jordan Anderson's old master.
What is the date of the letter?
-The date of the letter is August 7th, 1865.
What does Jordan Anderson express about his old master's safety?
-Jordan Anderson expresses relief and gladness that his old master is still alive and was not punished by the Yankees.
Why does Jordan Anderson mention the 'Yankees'?
-He refers to the 'Yankees' as the Union soldiers who might have punished his old master for harboring slaves and attempting to kill a Union soldier.
What does Jordan Anderson want to know about his potential return to his old master's home?
-He wants to know the specific 'good chance' or opportunities the old master proposes to offer him if he returns.
What is Jordan Anderson's current situation as described in the letter?
-Jordan Anderson is living in Dayton, Ohio, earning $25 a month with food and clothing provided, has a comfortable home, and his family is attending school and church.
What does Jordan Anderson request from his old master to consider returning?
-He requests his old master to send him the wages for the time he served, which he calculates to be $1,680, plus interest, deducting the cost of clothing and medical expenses.
What concerns does Jordan Anderson express about his daughters' safety?
-He is concerned about the safety and potential mistreatment of his daughters, Millie and Jane, if they were to return to Tennessee.
What does Jordan Anderson seek for his children's future?
-He seeks an education for his children and the formation of virtuous habits.
What does Jordan Anderson want to know about the conditions for colored children in his old master's neighborhood?
-He wants to know if there have been any schools open for colored children in the neighborhood.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Letter to Former Master: A Request for Past Wages

The paragraph is a letter written by a former slave to his old master, Colonel p.H. Anderson, expressing gratitude for the master's remembrance and offer to return. The writer recounts past events, including the master's actions during the Civil War and the writer's own escape. He describes his current life, which includes a stable income, a family, and the opportunity for his children to attend school. He inquires about the possibility of returning but requests past wages as a condition for considering the move. The letter also expresses concern for the safety and future of his children, especially his daughters, and asks about educational opportunities for black children in the master's area.

05:01

💌 Concern for Family's Safety and Education

In the second paragraph, the writer continues to express his desire to ensure the safety and well-being of his family, particularly his daughters, should he consider returning to his former master's estate. He recalls past incidents of abuse and exploitation and requests reassurances regarding the safety and educational prospects for his children. The writer also seeks to know if there have been any changes in the local community that would support the education and protection of black children. The paragraph concludes with a personal message to a friend and a reminder of a past violent incident involving the master.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Master

In the context of the script, 'Master' refers to the owner of slaves during the era of slavery in the United States. It is a term that denotes authority and control over another person's life. The letter is addressed to the writer's former master, Colonel pH Anderson, indicating a past relationship based on servitude. The use of this term highlights the historical context and the power dynamics of the time.

💡Freedom

'Freedom' in this script represents the state of being free from slavery and the legal and social constraints that come with it. The writer mentions having obtained their 'free papers,' which signifies their legal emancipation. The concept of freedom is central to the narrative as the writer weighs the options of returning to servitude versus maintaining their hard-won liberty.

💡Wages

Wages in this context refer to the compensation earned for work performed. The script discusses the writer's current wages and contrasts it with the lack of wages they received while in servitude. The request for back wages from the former master is a form of seeking justice and recognition for years of unpaid labor, underscoring the economic exploitation inherent in slavery.

💡Yankees

The term 'Yankees' is used in the script to refer to the Union soldiers during the American Civil War. It is mentioned in the context of the writer's concern for the master's safety, fearing that the Yankees would have punished him for harboring fugitive slaves. This reflects the broader conflict and its impact on personal relationships during that period.

💡Slavery

Slavery is the condition of being owned by someone and being forced to work without pay. The script alludes to the writer's past as a slave and the conditions they endured. The mention of slavery is crucial to understanding the historical backdrop and the personal journey of the writer from bondage to seeking reparations and justice.

💡Colonel

A 'Colonel' is a military rank, often associated with leadership and authority. In the script, the writer addresses his former master with this title, which not only identifies the master's social status but also the writer's past subservience to someone of higher rank, emphasizing the social hierarchy of the time.

💡Union soldier

The 'Union soldier' mentioned in the script represents the military forces of the United States during the Civil War that fought against the Confederacy to preserve the Union. The reference to a Union soldier being shot at by the master illustrates the tension and violence that existed between the opposing sides and the personal implications for the individuals involved.

💡Education

Education in this context is the process of learning and acquiring knowledge, which the writer highly values for their children. The script mentions the writer's children attending school and the desire to ensure they receive an education. This reflects the writer's aspirations for a better future and the importance of education in breaking the cycle of oppression.

💡Recompense

Recompense refers to payment or compensation given as a return for service or loss. The writer seeks recompense for years of forced labor without pay, indicating a desire for justice and acknowledgment of past wrongs. The concept of recompense is tied to the broader theme of reparations for the injustices of slavery.

💡Faithful labor

The term 'faithful labor' implies hard work and dedication despite the lack of fair treatment or compensation. The writer's mention of their faithful labor for 32 years highlights the long-term commitment and service provided to the master, contrasting it with the lack of reciprocity and the quest for fair compensation.

💡Safety

Safety in the script refers to the security and well-being of the writer's family, particularly his daughters. The writer expresses concern for their safety should they return to the master's household, reflecting the ongoing threats and vulnerabilities faced by former slaves even after emancipation.

Highlights

Letter from a former slave to his former master expressing mixed feelings of concern and relief.

Expression of unease regarding the former master's well-being during the Civil War.

Mention of the Yankees and their actions against those who harbored slaves.

Recollection of past violence and the master's attempts to harm the former slave.

Desire to return to the old home and see family members, despite past conflicts.

Description of the former slave's current life, including employment and family situation.

Request for information on the proposed wages and conditions for returning to the master's service.

Discussion of the former slave's current financial stability and the value of his labor.

A demand for compensation for years of unpaid labor, calculated with interest.

Emphasis on the importance of education for the former slave's children and their future.

Concern for the safety and well-being of the former slave's daughters in the master's care.

Inquiry about the availability of schools for black children in the master's area.

A plea for the master to acknowledge the wrongs done to the former slave and his ancestors.

The former slave's reflection on the lack of payment for black labor in Tennessee, compared to animals.

A warning about the consequences of not compensating for past labor and the implications for future trust.

A closing remark that conveys a sense of finality and the hope for a better future.