Banneker's Letter to Jefferson

Banneker’s Letter to Jefferson, written in 1809, was a respectful appeal urging Thomas Jefferson to recognize the injustice of slavery and to promote equality. Banneker, a talented Black mathematician and astronomer, emphasized America’s founding principles of liberty and justice, questioning why slavery persisted when freedom was supposed to be a core value. He encouraged Jefferson, as a leader, to take action against racial discrimination, highlighting that all people are entitled to the same rights. The letter is an important call for moral integrity and equality, challenging ongoing injustices within the nation.