Summary
Phyllis Wheatley's Appropriation of Isaiah includes a short poem asserting the relevance and applicability of religion and Christianity to both the white and black races alike. In the article from the 18th century right at the peak of slavery within the United States, Wheatly asserts that the inherent Black community before being captured and shipped to slavery was pagans and did not entirely believe in any particular God. The poem in Scheik (1992) reads "On being brought from Africa to America is very brief: 'Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land," to highlight that Africa was a land of pagans before the infiltration by the white community.
However, the poem goes on to further assert that despite Africans being pagans and religion entirely originating from the white community, members of both races inherited the barbaric blackness of the original sin in the Christian sense, and as such, both can be saved back into Christianity. Scheik (1992) reads "Some view our sable race with scornful eyes, 'Their color is a diabolic die.' Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, may be refin'd and join th' angelic train." Wheatley asserts what while a part of the community may view the Black community with scornful eyes and think of them as inherently evil, they too can be saved from sin alongside white Christians. In this way, Wheatly defeats assertions alleging differences between the black and white communities.
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Importance to American History
The subject of religion is significant to American history given its continued use in the perpetuation of slavery and racism as well as segregation. In addition to being used as a way to capture slaves in Africa, religious places were highly segregated for the black and white races contributing to the continued rift between the two races and the predominant assertion that the white race is superior to their black counterparts. However, the poem on Phyllis Wheatley's Appropriation of Isaiah both places religion as an inherently white concept that can be adopted in equal measure by all humans regardless of their racial origins. This is still relevant even in contemporary society and provides a source of solace for all humanity.
Relevance in Today's Society
The main issue addressed is religion and the relationships that the minority race (Blacks) have with it. Despite its view at the time as a white privilege and one that cannot be received in equal measure by the Black community, the poem suggests that both races are equally impacted by the original blackness of sin and that both can receive redemption in equal measure if they believe. This has been the premise under which religion has developed and grown throughout American History to the present time. In contemporary society, there is no segregation of places of worship on account of religion, rather everyone is allowed access to places of worship and is believed to have an equal chance of receiving salvation.
Minority Portrayal
Blacks are generally portrayed as pagans in the article but also have the potential of subscribing to the religion and being saved. While the article also looks to defeat the assertions of existing differences between the White and Black community when it comes to religion, and therefore portray equality, the general status quo at the time is that Blacks are inherently evil and cannot in any scenario be saved in an equal measure comparable to their white counterparts. This portrayal has however changed over time. There is more tolerance with regards to racial differences and more people now portray Blacks as equal to whites in all aspects.
References
Scheick, W. J. (1992). Phillis Wheatley's appropriation of Isaiah. Early American Literature, 27(2), 135
