AR+Diary+Youngha+W.

Name: Jamal Freeman Age: 21 Gender: Male Occupation: Slave Social Class: Slave. Bottom of the social hierarchy. Financial situation: Owns absolutely nothing. Doesn;t even own his own clothes. Appearance: Young, built African-American. Half black, half white. Missing some teeth. Has been 6'11" since he was twelve. Reppin': Chesapeake, VA Habitual locations: The plantations/fields and his wooden shack Daily routine: Wakes up early in the morning at 6:00 and works non-stop until dark. Eats a meager meal(usually left overs). Goes straight to sleep. Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Quiet and stubborn. Works hard. Does not trust anyone easily. Friendly once people get to know him better. Past/individual-family history: Jamal's white dad was a slave owner, and mother was brought to the U.S. from Africa. Father abandoned the family and Jamal's mom was sold to another plantation owner shortly after. Does not wish to meet his dad, but wishes to find his black mother in the near future. Family: Considers the othjer slaves in the plantation his family Social relations with your own and other classes (people you deal with or know about in other classes, AND your opinions and feelings about them): Gets along fine with fellow slaves. Is an Uncle Tom and from time to time drinks with his owner John. But deep inside, hates his master and all white people. Religion: Christian. Education: Taught himself to read the Bible. Cannot write. Portrait:

Entry #2: 1764 Who rules?
I was being whupped constantly in the fields for not working up to my potential. This all stopped when a neighbor rushed to the plantation to say something that would put my master in rage. The issue revolving around representation has been going on for a while now here in Virginia, but I guess today was the day that will change the course of history. I am the only slave here who could speak and understand English. Of course I couldnt stop working since I am expected to work non-stop. So I listened carefully, pretending to work. So basically the news came three days later to us in Chesapeake that the British would represent the colonists of British-America. Once again, John and the neighbor talked about such a decision with complete disgust. I could hear them talking about how it was a complete infringement on their inviolable rights. What caught my attention was when John argued that the colonists, in the subordinate government, **should not be reduced to a state of slavery, and subject to the despotic rule of others.** I could care less and I couldn't help but ridicule the idiocy behind this train of thought. It's funny how these slave owners have in fact made people like me subject to slavery and yet they bemoan **the powers that deprive the colonists of the their "unalienable" rights**. Non-sense! **White people never asked for my consent when I was nearly forced into slavery**, and now they're demanding **liberty**? Give me a break. I have to admit that I felt happy for the British implementing this policy, and making the colonists its victims. On a side note, my hours on the fields extended to10 P.M., way past my normal hours. I guess John sure was pissed off today. It was back-breaking job as always, but my pain lessened whenever I imagined the face on John upon hearing today's news. Priceless.

**Entry #3: The Stamp Act 1765**
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**Entry #4: Common Sense 1774**
Dear Jamal,

I find that Paine's work is a smashing piece. I can relate to it so much because it is true how we are being dragged into wars. This has helped my blacksmiffin' quite a bit because people always need metal when fighting, but this is more than my business. So how's it been going lately? For me its been going pretty well. Business is a little better than it was 8 years ago and i finally got that shiny new anvil. I've made a couple of more friends than I had before, but John and I are still close friends. I've been going out a bit more but hopefully you can stop getting whipped so we can talk sometime. You seem to have buffed up on your vocabulary since the last time I talked to you, good for you. Let's keep on fighting for our rights as Americans living in America. Have a good life Jamal, hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, Charles (Jason Cho)

P.S. Nice back

-- Hey Charles,  A lot has happened since we’ve last corresponded with each other. I still work at the plantations in Chesapeake. The only difference is that I now have more demanding hours in the fields. Im not too sure myself of the reasons why, but it’s probably all those acts that Parliament has enacted. Whatever the reason, I still hate my life to death. I guess death gotta be easy because life is hard. Reading the Bible and following His words is the only outlet for freedom. I find it shocking to see that even though we live in the same freakin county, our lives are so different. And at the same time it seems to me that you haven’t changed at all since the last time I saw you. While you were trying to get that stupid anvil, I was on the tobacco fields getting whipped, with my life at stakes. I guess I can’t blame you since you’ll never understand a slave. But don’t worry, I’m still your pal. Oh yea, I also came across a pamphlet by Thomas Paine. I’ll admit, striving for freedom is a wonderful cause. As I have told you before, however, America is not ready for independence. Obviously the motherland has not treated Her son properly, but the colonists do not have a right to reprimand their actions, failing to realize how they;ve treat us black people. Better recognize foo. News of war between the colonies and England would, to me at least, come as a shot at freedom. Regardless of who claims victory, I would certainly have more rights than I currently have. Even if it came at the cost of fighting at the battle front. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.  Take care of yourself. Jamal

**Entry #5: Horrors of War 1777**
Dear Jamal,

I am not certain in any way whether or not you are alive, but I feel it as my duty to write you due to our friendship. Times have definitely been better for me and lately, my steel has been getting stolen by a bunch of hooligans and business has been dropping. Getting any more new anvils are now, sadly, out of the question since I can't get any actual money for it. I'm getting payed with food and toilet paper right now but that's all I actually need to live decently so I can't argue. That Declaration of Independence that came out last year doesn't seem like it did very much other than let Britain see what they already know. It really makes me feel sad when I see people fighting with each other when we are all brothers in a sense. This war is definitely bringing the worst out of everyone but I guess that's what all wars do. I hope to see you soon Jamal. Hopefully it will all work out for the better and we can get back to our normal lives, although your life isn't great. Don't give into Britain's false claims of giving you freedom! I pity the fool.

Sincerely, Charles

-- Dear Charles,

Wow. We are obviously both familiar with what the colonies have experienced throughout the last couple of years, and of course with the current situation. Heck, I am not too sure if you will actually receive this letter. Hopefully you;re in good health and your business is going good. Sorry for the late response-- I am sure you'll understand. It would be nearly impossible to inform you of all the things that've happened since the last time we corresponded, but let me lead you through what's been going on with me lately. Reading the Declaration of Independence is what changed my life. It's a wonderful document. Don't get me wrong. As a white person, Perhaps you didn't notice this, but the document that the American public admires lacks any mention of blacks. In essence, it fails to give blacks equal rights and consider slaves incompatible in society. You can bet that that pissed me off. I couldn't help but question myself if I deserved this treatment as a human being. It was a slap in the face to not only to me, but to all my fellow brothers and sisters working their asses off in the fields. In the midst of all the riots and looting in the towns of Virginia upon the declaration war, I successfully escaped from John's plantation. Well, like I alluded to ya in my previous letter, I considered the Revolutionary War an opportunity to obtain my freedom. George Washington refused to recruit black soldiers at the battle fields, but when the British governor of Virginia issued a deal to free us for our services in the war effort, I immediately joined without hesitation. Along with other soldiers led by General Burgoyne, I fought at the Battle of Saratoga. It was arguably one of the worst experiences of my life. It was one thing to kill people, but another to fight against my black brothers on the other side of the battle front. I still clearly remember the time my eyes met another black soldier's fighting for the colonies. Yet, I had no other choice to confront and kill him. I am currently writing to you here in Canada, where Burgoyne's troops have retreated to after the unsuccessful battle. Please write back if you have the time. I;m curious about your whereabouts.

Take it easy. -Jamal

Entry #6: What next? 1783
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