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While reading the ICE #1 prompt, I couldn't help but wonder who Benjamin Banneker really was. My wonder was driven by the thought that I had never heard his name, which was unusual, as he must have been famous enough to be a topic of an AP Language essay prompt and to have written a letter to Thomas Jefferson. I decided to do some research to uncover his extraordinary accomplishments, as I was curious after reading the fairly long list of his occupations mentioned in the prompt: Astronomer, SOS, mathematician, poet, etc. Banneker lived his entire life in Baltimore County, Maryland, where he farmed tobacco on a modest plot of land. Banneker constructed his famous clock when he was only 22 years old. In an age when timepieces were still somewhat rare in the American colonies, visitors came from near and far to see a working clock built by a young man of color. Famous political figures widely recognized Banneker's invention, and I also looked up Jefferson's reply to Banneker regarding his argument against slavery. Jefferson said, "Nobody wishes more ardently to see a good system commenced for raising the condition of blacks to what it ought to be." Jefferson didn't directly address Banneker's argument against slavery and was essentially beating around the bush, keeping his reply respectful while acknowledging Banneker's achievements. Jefferson also sent Banneker's almanac(it was attached to the letter) to a French scientific society. Despite the eloquent appeal for justice, Jefferson did not alter his views on racial hierarchy, nor did he free his own slaves. He ultimately dismissed the significance of Banneker's mind as being of "very common stature" a year later, also while he sent the almanac to Paris, Jefferson privately, among his friends, such as Joel Barlow(no clue who he is), expressed that he suspected that Banneker used help from his neighbor George Ellicott to write the almanac. To me, Jefferson's reply seems political and somewhat reminds me of Thatcher's eulogy, as both appear sincere; it raises the question: "Is their sincerity really genuine?"
I really liked this little history lesson I got due to the ICE #1 prompt—it made the importance of rhetoric more clear to me, and Banneker's repeated use of "Sir" paired with a respectful tone also helped in understanding how logic and calm also result in great things while not causing hostility among people.
(Don't bother reading this, as the handwriting is as unreadable as Aadhav's.)
Your blog is very interesting and shows your curiosity towards who Benjamin Banneker was and why he mattered. It also does a good job connecting history to rhetoric and questioning whether Jefferson’s response was truly sincere.
ReplyDeleteNice blog, Vignesh. I really like how you were able to combine elements of a rhetorical analysis essay with your own inquisitive conclusions within your blog. I like how you explored the dynamic and relationship between Jefferson and Banneker, something I hadn’t thought to consider when reading the prompt initially.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out the difference between Jefferson’s polite public letter and what he actually said about Banneker in private. It’s a good catch that Banneker’s respectful tone was a smart move to keep the conversation going without making Jefferson too defensive.
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