In Remembrance of Phillis Wheatley

Written by Marissa BeatyPhotography by Tori Tiso Though today’s politics tend to be more polarized than united, the truth is, American history is incredibly intertwined and dependent on African and African American history. African Americans have come to be our astronauts, poets, scientists, musicians, and even perfectors of the light bulb (yes, it’s attributed to Thomas Edison, but it was Lewis Latimer who gave us the light bulb we still use today).  Their influence on American culture, however, is the basis of some of our greatest artistic movements: from jazz, to poetry, and even today to films like “Get Out” and “Black Panther,” are altering what we consider mainstream, and ultimately, how we look at the world around us. One of these influencers, and an incredibly talent is the first African American poet: Phillis Wheatley.  Wheatley was born in West Africa on May 8, 1753. At the age of seven, she was seized and shipped to Boston with a group of “refugee” slaves. In August of 1761, she was purchased by Boston tailor John Wheatley, as a gift for his wife Susanna, who was apparently in want of a “domestic.”  Upon meeting Phillis, the family quickly learned of her frailty, due either to the unruly conditions of the ship or a condition from before she was captured; the true origin of her condition upon arriving in America is unclear. The story goes, that upon gaining this knowledge, the family altered Phillis’ duties. She was still required to complete some of her domestic work, but was also taught how to read and write, and allowed to extend her curiosity into subjects such as astronomy, geography, history, and literature.  As her fascination in education grew, so did her writing. At just 13, she published “On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin,” in the Newport, Rhode Island, Mercury. She gained national recognition, however, on an elegy for Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, which was not only printed across the American colonies, but also in London as well. Several years later, in 1773, she published a book of thirty-nine poems, titled “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” which included poems on Christianity, race, and even the slave trade. Following its publication and fame, the Wheatley family emancipated Phillis. She would later be married to John Peters, have three children (who unfortunately died at young ages), and continue to be celebrated as a poet. She died at age 31 on December 5, 1784.  In retelling Wheatley’s story, for it is one to continuously remember, I urge you to be careful in who you attribute her success to. Without knowing better, or catching oneself, it can become easy to alter the story, to switch a word or two, and attribute her success as an author to the kindness of her owners. Yes, they did allow her to learn how to read and write, and encouraged her growth as a poet, however, her talent is still markedly her own, and her experience is a stratification from the norm for African slaves ( the average lifespan for slaves on Southern Plantations was four years). If anything, her ability to overcome the injustices placed upon her to become one of the most successful and best-known poets of the 18th century displays her incredible talent and intelligence. So as Black History Month comes to its close, let us remember that Black history is a continuous and necessary aspect of American culture. Let us remember Phillis Wheatley, and the many more pioneers that have often been neglected in textbooks.