When asked to pick one African American who I wish to be like, it’s hard to pick just one. But, while thinking over it, one name really stood out to me. It’s the name of a man who was a leader in the abolitionist movement. It’s the name of a man who tried and tried to escape from slavery and finally did it. It’s the name of a man who orated brilliant speeches and continually advocated for all men and women to be equal. His name was Fredrick Douglass. I truly admire Fredrick Douglass, and wish to be like him because he always stood up for what he believed in, he always did things for the betterment of others, and he helped completely change people’s views on issues such as slavery and women’s rights. Fredrick Douglass was born into slavery, …show more content…
One example of this is when he delivered his famous “What to the Slave is your Fourth of July?” speech at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of independence. Douglass at that moment, orated such a beautiful speech which thoroughly expressed his opinions on equality and freedom. Yes, the Americans were all celebrating their freedom, and it was a happy occasion but, he stood up for his belief in equal rights and spoke about how he believed this day was a sad day for African-Americans because it only distanced the two races further and reminded them how they were still not free. In the future I want to be like this and stand up for my beliefs, I want to be like him and be able to express my opinions so well, that they could change society for the better. I want to never just let my thoughts be unseen but instead express them and stand up for what I believe …show more content…
When he escaped to New York and became free, he didn’t live a life full of fear hiding himself nor did he just find himself a good job and live his life only helping himself. Frederick Douglass committed his life to creating a better society where everyone would be treated equally. He once said, “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” This means he didn’t just help people if he thought they were good, or if they agreed with his views. He would help anyone to accomplish things that would be beneficial to society. I want to be like this, and help create a better society in the future. I want to improve the world and help others just like Fredrick Douglass
Fredrick Douglass had to pierce the ethnocentric bias of the population at that time. Fredrick Douglass's actions were heroic. He had the discipline not to fight back when harassed by children his age when he was young. He had the fortitude to stick with his goal. He persevered to the end. Fredrick Douglass was an inspiration not only to slaves, but also to
Douglass was introduced to the movement in 1841 when a man named William Coffin heard one of his speeches at an anti-slavery meeting and was so impressed with his oratorical skills that Coffin invited him to share his story as a slave in a convention organised by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society (MAS). This therefore supports my previous discussion that black people could contribute to society and live normal lives without white people diminishing their human rights and privileges and making them slaves.
Throughout history, there have been many black-rights activists that use their power of speaking to fight injustice and promote equality. One of those activists, who fought for equality with the power of his words, was Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He had a vision of the roles of African Americans during and after the war to ensure they receive citizenship and freedom. Frederick Douglass faced many tribulations throughout his life and that only made his speeches for equality and justice that much more powerful because he was a victim of injustice. Douglass believed that if African Americans want to have citizenship and be seen as equals, they must prove that they deserve it. In order to prove that African Americans deserve citizenship, Douglass encouraged them to enlist and join the fight for equality. Although there were obstacles in seeing his vision implemented Douglass stood his ground and fought until his vision becomes reality.
On July 5th of 1852, the Ladies Antislavery Society of Rochester requested that emancipated slave, Fredrick Douglass, speak for their celebration of the United States’ national independence. Douglass accepted this request and presented a powerful speech that explained and argued his true beliefs and feelings concerning this event. He considered their decision to request him as a speaker on that day to be a mockery of his past and of the ongoing status of blacks as slaves in America at the time. Nevertheless, Douglass skillfully constructed his speech utilizing various methods that forced his audience to take him seriously and think twice about the issue of slavery in America. His passion about the subject, his ability to captivate his
Whenever injustice exists in society, it becomes the responsibility of others to step forward in defense of the oppressed. If this action does not occur, then the injustice will remain and innocent people will suffer. In order to preserve equality, sometimes people must take a risk in order to reveal the truth and uphold justice. Individuals throughout history, such as the founding fathers, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., have faced this peril in the pursuit of freedom. In 1845, Frederick Douglass published Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, in order to do just that- to establish the truth behind slavery and advocate for freedom. In his narrative, Douglass uses diction, structure, imagery, and other
Frederick Douglass was the champion to a lot of people especially those enslave at that time. It’s easy to imagine slavery but hard to see it. Douglass was inspired by his own story which then inspired millions of others. He is confronted with a challenging task in his writing by trying to fulfil the need. Frederick Douglass opens up people eyes. His book helps to see through his eyes, someone who resisted and fought for freedom for each and every one of us. The road of inspiration taken by Frederick Douglass lead to his freedom along with leading others to freedom.
Frederick Douglass establishes his own ethos in the opening lines of the speech. He does so by questioning his oratorical authority to speak on freedom with the following rhetoric: “ Fellow citizens, pardon me, and allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today? Frederick Douglass is not saying that he is a nobody, but out of everybody why would he, the former slave and abolitionist, be chosen to to speak on the celebration of freedom. But of course, Frederick Douglas resume suggests that he is educated, experienced and qualified enough to speak on freedom. He was born a slave in Maryland and experienced the horror of slavery first hand. He escaped from slavery and
Preliminary Thesis: I will persuade future American generations that freedom is a privilege. We Americans need to stop taking our freedom for granted because there are people who wished to have the opportunity to be free the way we do.
On July 5th 1852, Frederick Douglass, one of history’s outstanding public speakers, carried out a very compelling speech at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. Within that moment of time where the freedom of Americans was being praised and celebrated, he gathered the nation to clear up the tension among slavery and the establishment of the country’s goals. Frederick Douglass’s speech mentions the development of the young nation, the Revolution, and his own life experience. While speaking, his main subject was seen to be American slavery. The “Fourth of July Oration” was a commendable model of Frederick Douglass’s affection and engagement towards the freedom of individuals. Frederick Douglass’s speech left an impact on his audience
Born into a life of slavery, Frederick Douglass overcame a boatload of obstacles in his very accomplished life. While a slave he was able to learn how to read and write, which was the most significant accomplishment in his life. This was significant, not only because it was forbidden for a slave to read due to the slaveholders wanting to keep them ignorant to preserve slavery, but because it was the starting point for Frederick to think more freely and more profound. Frederick Douglass then taught other slaves how to read and write because he believed and taught “Once you learn to read you will be forever free” (Frederick Douglass). This man was an astonishing individual who
In this book Fredrick Douglass finds shows himself growing up as a slave in Baltimore, Maryland. He eventually escapes from his master and becomes a run away slave as he flees to the north. Douglass however is most popularly known for his pressure on the supreme court to obtain equal rights for African American citizens. He made huge advances in civil rights for his fellow African American brothers and sisters. His contributions have caused a balancing of society that is still getting better to this day.
Frederick Douglass was one of the most influential men of the anti-slavery movement. He stood up for what he believed in, fought hard to get where he got and never let someone tell him he could not do something. Frederick Douglass made a change in this country that will always be remembered.
Finding common ground and telling of the past of the country to let people who are listening really understand where he is coming from as well.
When you think of great Americans in our history there are countless that come to mind. Some immediately think of the many presidents we have had, others think of inventors, but what about the people that are in between – the people that fought for equality. Fredrick Douglass arguably had the greatest impact on American society, especially African American society, in the nineteenth century. Douglass is credited as being an abolitionist, author, editor, and diplomat. He used literature, books, newspapers, and even speeches, to leave a long lasting mark on our society. Douglass advised presidents and lectured to thousands about different causes, including women’s rights. A cause he felt a strong connection with was the abolishing of slavery, being that he was once a slave.
Fredrick Douglass was Born into slavery in Tuckahoe, Maryland on February, 1818. His mom was also in slavery and his dad was the owner of the slave plantation (Douglass & O’Meally). He tried to escape slavery, but failed in 1836. He attempted to escape a second time two years later in 1938 and succeeded and went to New York City where many escaping slaves often went. (Timeline of Frederick Douglass and Family) He died in 1882 from a heart attack that occurred shortly after participating in a women’s rights meeting and lived to be 77 years old (Timeline of Frederick Douglass and Family) Some of his major accomplishments were that he was nominated to be the Vice President of the united states of America. Another noticeable thing he did was write a famous speech still quoted today and is considered a major part in demolishing slavery called “what to the slave is the fourth of