Phillis Wheatley Found Voice Through Faith
This enslaved Christian poet’s 1773 “Poems on Various Subjects” praised God while subtly criticizing slavery. Her work challenged stereotypes about African intellectual inferiority during the Revolutionary era. She remained enslaved until her master’s death despite international literary acclaim. Her faith provided artistic power, but couldn’t secure physical freedom. This illustrated Christianity’s limited protection for enslaved believers. Her talent was recognized even as her humanity was denied. Her work represented one of many ways enslaved people used Christianity to maintain dignity under oppression.
