Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Race, Physiognomy, Anthropology

    In response to the opening question 'Am I not a Man and a Brother?' (the emblematic question of the anti-slavery movement), discusses the racist arguments of 'Anthropology'. Anthropology, for example, asserts that black and white races of humans are 'Less [a]like than one ape's like another', and that the 'form' of the head and face is 'inferior' in black races. Describes other features that anthropology believes distinguishes black from white races, notably sable 'dyed' skin, heavier bones, long arms (which are 'dead against [...] parity'), prehensile 'great-toes', and woolly hair. The author concludes by noting how 'strange' this 'new information' will appear to the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, but hopes that Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux) will uphold the 'manhood and fraternity' of black people.