Jupiter Hammon: 1711-1790/1806

Though not much is known of him, aside from being an educated slave from Long Island, New York, Jupiter Hammon knew his way around a pen. He’s credited with being one of the earliest published African-Americans in history (despite his slave status) and has recently been labeled a ‘revolutionary poet’ (revolutionary poets called for the equality of races and the freeing of slaves). Hammon was heavily influenced by the Christian religion and it showed in his psalmic works.
An Evening Thought, published December 25, 1760, was modeled after Methodist hymns (with Hammon being an unofficial pastor, it’s no wonder). The heavy theme of religion and salvation through Jesus Christ speaks to the freeing of slaves and the relief that they would find in Him (despite religion being used to justify slavery). Hammon makes use of racial markers (“Lord turn our dark benighted Souls; give us a true Motion…” lines 45 and 46) that not only describe Blacks of the time, but also describes any soul that was oppressed. It’s a pray for relief for anyone that needed it (tailored to his fellow slaves struggling through hopelessness of salvation from captivity).
An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley, published August 4, 1778, was a such a powerful piece. It’s a letter of encouragement to a fellow slave-poet (revolutionary poet) written with all the beauty of a psalm. Once again, Hammon has written a sort of prayer meant to strengthen Wheatley, his female counterpart, to continue her rebellion-by-poems. The word choice and the imagery he uses make it a tender and heart-felt work that can be applied to writers of today struggling to continue on their creative path and to stay true to themselves (I felt especially encouraged, being a Black female writer myself).