AR+Diary+Cathy+K.

=__**Journal #1**__=


 * Name**: Emel Smith
 * Age**: 19
 * Gender**: Male
 * Occupation**: Slave
 * Social Class**: Slave
 * Financial situation**: Emel has no property of his own
 * Appearance**: African American; deep brown skin, fit body (rather tall), young
 * Location**: on a wealthy slave owner's plantation in South Carolina
 * Habitual locations**: on the plantation
 * Daily routine**: Getting up early in the morning and working on the tobacco field all day. Occasionally after all duties are done, he will collect necessities for his family (firewood, and some edible foods as rations are limited).
 * Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits**: Adventurous, bold,
 * Past/individual-family history**: Emel's mother had died giving birth to Emel. His father is unknown.
 * Family**: Emel lives with his grandmother and uncle (both of them are also slaves)
 * Social relations with your own and other classes**: Emel's owner is Mr.Calhoun, a rich tobacco plantation owner in South Carolina. Though Emel is unhappy about his position as a slave, he knows not how it could be otherwise (that is, until later). Mr.Calhoun is a comparatively generous owner, so Emel has never been severely abused.
 * Religion**: Emel attends an African American Baptist church, though only because Mr.Calhoun says he must.
 * Education**: Cannot read nor write [revised: apparently CAN read and write]
 * Portrait**:

=__**Journal #2**__= It was just like all other days; after all, someone in my position stops expecting anything better than the daily routine. But something interesting happened today—allow me to explain. It so happened that I was running an errand to a nearby plantation for my master (which I did rather often, as I was among his favorites). On the road I encountered three white men talking a slow walk and discussing what I understood to be a hot debated topic these days. “Well thi’s Otis fellow seems t’know what he’s talkin’ abou” “Think so? H’ may be a fame seeker” “**The supreme power cannot take from any man any part of his property without his consent in person or by representation**… I like the idea, I’ll say that” One of the men read from the pamphlet. “th’t right,” the third finally spoke. “If we don’t have this basic right, we might as well call ourselves Niggas.” The man spat at the grasses aside. By this time I had passed them, walking as slowly as possible as to hear another word of it. (“whacha listening in at? Runoff. Scat”)

During my short errand, I’ve heard more things, here and there. Apparently this fellow’s pamphlet has created a sensation up in the North. Now it’s come to the South—I wonder how Mr. Calhoun would react to this. Mr.Calhoun is my owner, by the way. A rich plantation owner, he is. Though I’ve seen many plantation owners be “pretentiously” religious, this man is an exception, I’ve found. Anyway, all this white-man’s talk about representation and rights… Why is it they want to win even MORE rights while they deprive the basic rights of the Black man? Irony, I say.

=Journal #3=

media type="file" key="Emel Smith.m4a"

Documents used: Rights of the Colonists Asserted and Proved [James Otis] Common Sense [Thomas Paine] Origin and Progress of the American Rebellion [Peter Oliver] ; (on the mention of the Black Regiment) The Boycott Agreements of Women in Boston

=Journal #4=

Dear Mr.Robertson, [Julia's character]

Sir, my name is Emel Smith, a black slave in Southern Carolina. Some time ago, I had encountered a pamphlet by Thomas Paine, and I must say that I was deeply moved by (and let me quote), **“People were originally all equal. Therefore, it is ridiculous that one capable man who becomes king should have all the future generations of his family also rule.”** Sir, an educated gentleman such as yourself would understand what this means—both for the betterment of the white man and black. I would like to help in this war, which now seems inevitable. If I am not wrong, the American troops would soon need more fighting men, sir. If allowed the chance, I would like to fight for the cause. Perhaps by creating a new Black Regiment. Me and my fellow black men will fight bravely, sir. There is just one thing we ask in return: freedom following the end of the war (-or the end of VICTORY!). The plantations owners of the south are already talking about this possibility, sir. All they ask is a little payment for our service. So you see, everything fits. The colonies will be able to strengthen their forces (as they wish), plantation owners will be able to benefit from the war (as they wish), and we slaves will able to fight in the army and gain our freedom (as we wish). It is a win-win situation, sir. Please consider this option, sir. A person with your influence and integrity should be able to make the right choice and spread the idea. Once again, thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Emel Smith

**Response Letter from Julia**
Dear Emel Smith, I have been living in a chaos and didn’t even have time to write any letters. Since the time when I received your letter, Mr. Smith, the war already had begun. The war spread further and further, and when it finally reached New York, the largest battle broke out after the Declaration of Independence. When British military raided New York on August 27, Washington moved on General Howe’s army to prevent them from occupying New York. As a result of Washington’s inexperienced judgment, we suffered a blistering defeat. Out of 10,000 New York militia reinforced from Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland, 1,407 Americans were wounded, captured, missing, and 312 were killed. On the contrary, out of 32,000 British and Germans on Long Island, they sustained only a total loss of 377 men. Moreover, British captured New York City meaning that New York has now become the center of British operations. When I look outside my window, the scenery of New York streets are not the same as it was years ago. I see British soldiers seizing the farmers’ food, and I see them taking away their perspiration. After the Battle of Long Island, some are loosing faith in victory of American independence. As more and more people are turned down and disheartened, I feel obligated to consolidate the principle of Declaration of Independence. We cannot give up our aspiration because we lost this war. The moment we started this movement and decided to pursue our right of freedom, we have prepared our minds to bear such conflicts. No one can force us to revoke the Declaration of Independence. This letter is my lamentation over the past year, and I finally feel like I’m letting my agony to escape. Thank you for helping us in the war, and after all we are part of each other. We must put all our fervor to pass the Declaration of Independence and find our FREEDOM. Best, Henry Robertson.

=Journal #5 [i had written this before I found out that Julia had replied to me oops]=

Dear friends,

It has been too long since I’ve left South Carolina. How is everything back at home? Up in the North, we have faced several major battles with the British. You must have heard of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton! We had bravely won that battle after crossing the Delaware River and making a surprise attack. Though there were casualties, you need not worry for I have not been injured a bit. I am well aware of your concern: “why fight in a white man’s fight?” you had written in your previous letter. To this, I must say that first, this is not only a white man’s fight, but also a fight for the belief of equal men and liberty (at least, that is how I interpret this movement). Second, if my fellow black soldiers and I fight bravely and live through this war, we will receive the freedom promised to us. If I am not mistaken, roughly 5,000 Blacks—both free and not, are fighting for the revolutionary cause right now. Hopefully all 5,000 will survive to live a free life. All is good, except that sometimes I find myself fighting my fellow Black men. About 20,000 Blacks are estimated to be sided with the British, who apparently had offered the slave’s freedom as well. This is ironic. Even if the British DO win this war, there is no certainty that those Black men will be given their freedom. After all, the British do not practice the concept of “equal creation” even among their own white population. It is smarter to assume that they will deny “equality” for us Blacks as well.

I will hope to hear from you, friends.

Sincerely,

Emel

=Journal #6=

wait how do i upload photobooth things anyway? by "file" ? I tried that but my video wouldn't upload due to size and it's not that long. is anyone else having this problem?