In a noteworthy event series, Letters Live, Laurence Fishburne articulately reads a significant 1865 letter from Jourdon Anderson, who had escaped slavery and was now free in Ohio. Addressing his former master, Colonel P H Anderson, who wanted him back as a laborer, Anderson's pointed response reflects both the elation of newfound freedom and the desire for justice through compensation. This performance not only spotlights the historical context of post-Civil War America but also turns the dynamic of power as Anderson humorously asserts his rights and worth, making the letter an impactful narrative of resilience and dignity.
In his writing, Anderson responds to a letter from his former master, Colonel P H Anderson, who, in the wake of the Civil War's end, asked if he might return to Tennessee to work for him again as a freedman.
Delivering a withering and ultimately widely reprinted response, Anderson notes that he's quite happy in Ohio, but may just consider if he's given backpay for his 32 years of unpaid labour.
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