You saw how a man became a slave; you will see how a slave became a man. » -Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life (1845) The most shameful practice in American history is the act of white slavery against African Americans. Many African Americans were born into slavery and were forced to feel inferior toward their white masters. Real human beings were treated like animals. The inhumane conditions of slavery challenged African Americans to discover their true individual identities. Whites defined the identity of slaves as nothing other than their servants. For slaves, a symbol of hope was the possibility of becoming literate, that is, learning to read and write. Frederick Douglass, an African-American slave, believed that literacy was “the path from slavery to freedom” (945). Through literacy, slaves like Phillis Wheatley and Frederick Douglass were able to define their identities. Phillis Wheatley was a black slave born in Africa. She was taken to Boston in 1761, when he was eight years old, and purchased by a wealthy tailor who brought her to America. Wheatley was fortunate to learn to read and write from his teacher Susannah (419). One of Wheatley's poems "On Being Brought from Africa to America" ​​describes his discovery of his identity in this world. In the first two lines of the poem "It was mercy that brought me from my heathen land, / I taught my ignorant soul to understand (lines 1-2)" Wheatley expresses that leaving Africa and being Being exposed to the religion of Christianity was a good thing for her. She feels that her “darkened” or dark soul is now a lighter soul. In the next two lines: “That there is a God, that there is also a Savior: / Once I have neither sought nor known redemption (lines 3-4). » Wheatley is pleased... middle of paper...... God divine, and seeking with hope life and immortality beyond the grave -- we are called to prove ourselves as men ? (990). He forcefully expresses that “a slave is a man!” » (990) and not an animal. Douglass lists similar characteristics that all humans share. He believes that religion constitutes the greatest similarity between the two races. All races of the nation should share this idea of ​​true freedom. Douglass used words like “bloody,” “shocking,” “shameless,” “revolting” (991) to describe the act of slavery in America. Speaking before all races, Douglass truly discovered his identity not as a slave nor as a respected literate scholar, but as a human being who is a powerful voice for those seeking equality for all. Works Cited Baym, Nina. “Frederick Douglass.” Norton Anthology American Literature: Shorter. Sl: WW Norton &, 2007. 920-23. Print.