Charita Gainey: Why did Phillis Wheatley disappear?

Why did Phillis Wheatley disappear?

In 1775, General George Washington received a poem from one of colonial America's most famous writers. Its verses praised the burgeoning revolution, invoking the goddess of their new nation to aid the general's cause. But this ode to liberty wasn't written by some aloof aristocratic admirer. Its author was a young enslaved Black woman. Charita Gainey details the works of poet Phillis Wheatley. [Directed by Gavin Edwards, Movult, narrated by Christina Greer, music by Stephen LaRosa].

Phillis Wheatley, once enslaved, became the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry in 1773. Her eloquent verses reached audiences across the Atlantic and even landed in the hands of General George Washington. Despite facing harsh critics and being denied the chance to share her full life story, Wheatley’s work offered subtle resistance and enduring insight. Although her personal history was largely lost, her poetry continues to inspire and illuminate the struggles and spirit of her era.