Mercer who slaves name Virginia Pryor is taken to New York by her owner with two of her three children. Her third child is kept at home so that she would comply to his demands. Mercer travels to Philadelphia and arrives at a hotel, through the help of the porters she is put in touch with people who helped her achieve freedom. She chooses to
gain freedom for herself and her two children, knowing this does not include her youngest son Bennie. The Price of a Child in this novel is freedom. Virginia Pryor changes her name to Mercy Gray, calls herself Mercer. After having to hide at different houses and locations and being separated from her children she meets Prudence and she becomes involved with the New England Anti-Slavery Movement. Mercer decides to go on a New England tour and speaks to abolitionists about her experiences of being a slave. Her fist meeting was in Massachusetts at a Methodist Church were she shares her stories of beatings and life of a slave. This illustration I drew shows Mercer at her fist stop in Massachusetts, sharing her stories and the stories of real truths about the effects of slavery on all people.Mercer in this picture is holding hands with Prudence Randall, the white women who had held her hand on the cars, carriages, etc. The reason I chose to draw this picture is because I felt this was a very brave and courageous time in the story for Mercer and also me. She was a black lady at a Methodist church giving her accounts of slavery to a bunch of white people. This must have took a lot to do, especially at this time. Mercer was extremely nervous and afraid, and thoughts were entering her mind that she was still a white man’s property. She begins to get more and more comfortable, when she finds out she is getting her message across. Her feelings of nervousness are switched to a sense of more peace and purpose.

Does writing have the power to enact social change?

Does writing have the power to enact social change?Yes, writing definitely has the power to enact change. Dating back 2000 years the words and parables of Christ launched an entire religion based on his teachings. His words and stories or parables are repeated through scripture and Gospel readings. More recently Dr. Martin Luther King “I Have a Dream” speech supported and inspired the important civil rights of people today. The music industry and people like Quincy Jones and Willie Nelson have raised social awareness to hunger and the poor farmers of America. Their music’s proceeds went directly to aiding those who their songs were about.

Words come from religious figures to rock stars it doesn’t matter who the messenger is or how you receive the message. You can read it (bible), hear it (video/audio recording), or sing it (we are the world). It’s more important that these words can inspire generations. Assuming the writing are for the good. My three examples have all guided others in a positive way. However, not all teachings, speeches, or songs have influenced the populous. In the last century the one who stuck out the most Adolf Hitler. His speeches and writings brainwashed an entire nation which led to the genocide of over six million people.

In conclusion, words have the power to motivate, provoke, and infect thousands.