Rodrigo FOLLIS; Davi Boechat Paiva de Azeredo COUTINHO and Fábio Augusto DARIUS
Nuances: Estudos sobre Educação, Presidente Prudente, v. 35, n. 00, e024004, 2024. e-ISSN: 2236-0441
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32930/nuances.v35i00.10465 11
Colored people are suffering the results of the slavery in which they have been
held. When they were slaves, they were taught to do the will of those who held
them as their property. They were kept in ignorance, and today, there are
thousands among them who cannot read. [...] Every system of slavery originated
with Satan, who delights in tyranny over human beings. Though he has
succeeded in debasing and corrupting the black race, many are possessed of
decided capabilities and, if blessed with opportunities, will show more
intelligence than many of their more favored white brethren. Thousands may
now be educated and become agents to help others of their race. There are many
who feel the need for instruction (White, 1896, our translation).
White saw the role of state actions and the church in promoting social mobility for these
excluded individuals, which involves both government involvement and private engagement
(White, 2021, p. 160, our translation). One of her most forceful statements was the speech "Our
Duty to the Colored People," delivered on March 21, 1891, during the annual session of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In it, White drew attention to the need for
Christian engagement against the evils caused by slavery and perpetuated by racism.
Analyzing the appeal, Ramona Hyman (2017, p. 62, our translation) remarks that "White
did not suggest that the church should help African Americans; she stated that the church had
a duty, that is, an obligation to people of color." Her strong rhetoric was not the only
contribution. Her activism involved financial support, which ranged from aiding poorly paid
black ministers to the establishment of institutions, serving as "proof of her commitment to the
oppressed" (Burton, 2017, p. 75-76, our translation).
Some of these contents are compiled in the work The Southern Work (1890), the first
work that shaped her concerns previously expressed through periodicals. Later, the church's
responsibility towards African Americans would also find space in Testimonies for the Church,
through volumes 7 and 9, published in 1902 and 1909, respectively. In these contents,
affirmative actions are seen as a way to correct the inequalities caused by slavery.
Much more might have been accomplished in behalf of the colored people of
America if suitable efforts had been put forth by the government and by
Christian churches, immediately after the emancipation. Money should have
been freely used on their behalf in caring for and educating them at a time
when their necessity was very great. However, the government, after a slight
effort, left the colored people to struggle unaided with their tremendous
difficulties. Some of the strong Christian churches began a good work, but,
alas! Failed, accomplishing but comparatively little. The Seventh-day
Adventist Church also failed in its portion. Some persevering efforts have
been made by individuals and societies to lift the colored people, and this has
been a noble work. How few, though, have taken part in it, a work which
should have enlisted the sympathy and help of all! Noble efforts have been
put forth by some Seventh-day Adventists in doing what should be done for
the colored people (White, 2021, p. 160, our translation).