Talking Turkeys

Synopsis

A reissue of TALKING TURKEYS by street poet Benjamin Zephaniah. Talking Turkeys is an unconventional collection of straight-talking poems about heroes, revolutions, racism, love and animal rights, among other subjects, that will entice many new readers to poetry. It is his very first ground-breaking children's poetry collection - playful, clever and provocative - this is performance poetry on the page at its very best.

Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Birmingham and then spent some of his early years in Jamaica. He came to London when he was 22 and his first book of poetry for adults was published soon after. He appears regularly on radio and TV including a Desert Island Discs appearance, literary festivals, and has also taken part in plays and films. He is most well-known for his performance poetry with a political edge for both children and adults and gritty teenage fiction. His collections Talking Turkeys, Wicked World and Funky Chickens broke new ground in children's poetry. He is the only Rastafarian poet to be short-listed for the Chairs of Poetry for both Oxford and Cambridge University and has been listed in The Times' list of 50 greatest postwar writers. Benjamin now lives in Lincolnshire.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm

* Thomas Jefferson, a wealthy plantation owner and the third US president, faces economic turmoil on his Virginia plantation.
* European demand for American tobacco has plummeted, leading to a financial crisis for Jefferson and other planters.
* Jefferson's enslaved laborers are overworking, resulting in a decline in productivity and discipline.

Example: Jefferson's account book reveals that he earned less than $10,000 from tobacco sales in 1792, compared to over $30,000 in 1785.

Chapter 2: The Roots of Revolt

* Gabriel, a highly respected enslaved craftsman, emerges as a leader among Monticello's laborers.
* Gabriel's dissatisfaction with the plantation system and his belief in the natural rights of all men drive him to plan a rebellion.
* He recruits supporters, including fellow enslaved people and free Black individuals.

Example: A handwritten note discovered in Gabriel's possession reads, "My Countrymen, the time has arrived when we shall no longer suffer under the insulting bondage of slavery."

Chapter 3: The Eve of Rebellion

* The rebellion is planned for August 30, 1800, the anniversary of Nat Turner's revolt.
* The conspirators plan to seize weapons from the local militia and then attack Richmond, the state capital.
* However, a slave named Pharoh testifies about the plot, exposing it to Jefferson's overseer.

Example: Pharoh's testimony states, "I was present when... Gabriel declared it did not become a man of spirit to be a slave."

Chapter 4: The Aftermath

* Jefferson's overseer raises the alarm, and the militia is mobilized.
* Gabriel and his co-conspirators are tracked down and arrested.
* The trials and executions of those involved in the rebellion leave a chilling aftermath on the enslaved population.

Example: Twenty-five of the conspirators, including Gabriel, were hanged at the Richmond jail.

Chapter 5: Legacy and Lessons

* The Gabriel's Rebellion highlights the brutality and inherent contradictions of the American slave system.
* The rebellion also demonstrates the courage, determination, and resilience of those who risked their lives for freedom.
* It serves as a reminder of the complexities of American history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.

Example: In modern times, statues of Gabriel have been erected to honor his legacy as a symbol of resistance against oppression.