I Am a Man!

I Am a Man! is a declaration of civil rights, often used as a personal statement and as a declaration of independence against oppression.

Historically, in countries such as the United States and South Africa, the term "boy" was used as a pejorative racist insult towards men of color and slaves, indicating their subservient social status of being less than men. In response, Am I Not A Man And A Brother? became a catchphrase used by British and American abolitionists. In 1787, Josiah Wedgwood designed a medallion for the British anti-slavery campaign. He copied the original design from the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade as a cameo in black-and-white. It was widely reproduced and became a popular fashion statement promoting justice, humanity, and freedom.

The question "Am I Not A Man?" was brought up again during the Dred Scott decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. During the Civil Rights Movement at the Memphis sanitation strike in 1968, "I AM A MAN!" signs were used to answer the same question.