John Brown Trumpet Of Freedom

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Nicole Clark Dr. Jacqueline Akins History 221 22 February 2011 John Brown: Trumpet of Freedom I attended a play called, “Jonn Brown” Trumpet of Freedom at the Moonstone Arts Center. Actor, Norman Thomas Marshall gave a vibrant one man performance in which he was possessed by the legendary abolitionist “John Brown”. He also portrayed other characters surrounding the Civil War era such as, Abraham Lincoln, Fredrick Douglass and Harriet Tubman to name a few. The performance included spirituals, hymns and comedy to. They play was composed of narratives taken from letters and interviews during the time between his trail and execution. The focus was on four key invents in his life. First, was the witnessing of the brutal beating of a slave child when he was only twelve years old that planted the seed for which he fought. Second, was his guerilla campaign in Kansas…show more content…
I was shocked to see, including myself and my husband, there were only a handful of African Americans in the audience. Seeing this play gave me a new admiration and respect for John Brown. I was surprised to learn that he had relationships with Fredrick Douglas and William Lloyd Garison who abandoned him in his mission because of the violent concept Brown proposed. Much to my surprise he didn’t have a big army. His army consisted of family members and runaway slaves. He was armed with the will to do what no one else would to bring about change. I really enjoyed the performance Norman Thomas Marshall was brilliant. Ironically enough Marshall was a civil rights activist, son of a Klansman and grandson of a slave owner. He gave me an insight of what John Browns actions was really about. Since he been left out of the history books and portrayed as just another radical. Everyone of all ages should see this performance in order to get a better understanding of the root of the Civil War as opposed to what history left
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