University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 18, Feb. 6, 1997
In Morris Library: African-American orators focus of exhibition

     The University Library is celebrating Black History Month
during February with the display in the Morris Library of a
selection of historically significant speeches delivered by
prominent African-American orators. Texts of speeches, along with
related critical reviews, photographs and other graphical
materials, permit viewers to capture a glimpse of the rich,
oratorical traditions of the African-American community.
     Public speaking has long played a significant role within
African-American history and culture. This is in part derived
from the slavery era when enslaved Africans were prohibited from
reading or writing, and speech became the primary vehicle for
African-American expression. Free blacks in the North had few
weapons to use in the fight against slavery. However, their
voices raised in protest were powerful and eloquent. One has only
to read abolitionist Frederick Douglass' "What Is the Fourth of
July to the Negro?," to understand why he is considered one of
the most eloquent speakers of the 19th century.
     Since emancipation, African-American speakers have continued
to address the themes of freedom and liberty, as well as the
related themes of equality, justice and the injustice of racism.
     While many of the speakers address these common themes,
their styles are quite different.
     Ida B. Wells-Barnett, the Chicago journalist intent upon
eradicating lynching, relied heavily on the use of statistics in
her speeches. Other speakers-Jesse Jackson for example-make
frequent use of alliteration and rhyme. Some speakers begin their
remarks with praise for American ideals of freedom and justice,
then conclude with criticism of America's failure to practice
those ideals. Other speakers will begin with criticism and
conclude with praise.
     Despite the speakers' style or technique, the texts of the
speech provide an intimate view of the political thoughts and
ideas of the African-American intelligentsia and political
leadership. The speeches are important primary source documents
that are untarnished by editorial bias or journalistic bent. They
are passionate and powerful and, as with any good oration, they
are reasoned arguments accompanied with an emotional appeal to
action.
     A speech's success is dependent upon both content and
delivery. Unfortunately, the written text is unable to convey the
speaker's fluency, grace, wit or self-confidence-elements which
lead to a successful delivery. Further, the written text fails to
capture the unique delivery style of African-American public
speakers.
     African-American oratory style is based on African oral
traditions and incorporates "call and response," a style that
attempts to unify the audience with the speaker. Rather than
seeing audience participation as a detraction, the speaker
invites an immediate reaction.
     By using such expressions or calls as "Am I speaking the
truth?" or "Can I get a witness?" or "Are you with me?" the
speaker elicits responses from the audience. The audience
responds with an "I hear you!"or "Make it plain!" or a simple
"Amen!" or something similar. This response in turn encourages
the speaker to become even more exuberant.
     Although "call and response" and other elements of African-
American style are lost in the written text, they are preserved
in audio and video recordings of African-American speeches, many
of which are available in the Morris Library Media Department.
     According to Susan Brynteson, director of libraries, "The
exhibition contains only a sampling of the outstanding African-
American speeches present within the Morris Library collections."
     Carol A. Rudisell, reference, pointed out that selections
from Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass represent the voice
of abolition, while speeches by Booker T. Washington and W. E. B.
Du Bois reflect the differing political ideologies of African-
Americans at the turn of the 20th century. Addresses by Martin
Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X convey the turbulence of the Civil
Rights Era, while the voices of Jesse Jackson and others portray
contemporary efforts to mobilize African-Americans.
     The University community and general public are invited to
visit this exhibition and further explore the Morris Library
collections for additional African-American voices.
     The exhibition, which was curated by Rudisell, will be
displayed on the first floor of the Morris Library through 
June 2.