Fredrick Douglas: The Power Of Education

Fredrick Douglas was able to show the world that all groups of men are equal and capable of learning. Education was respected and valued in the time of Fredrick Douglas. Not everyone had the opportunity to go to school; therefore, an education was a thing of status. Fredrick Douglas was able to show the world, once again, that man is basically good through his education.

For example, Frederick Douglass was very a very courageous man, brave, and known today as a historical figure that escaped slavery and fought for equal rights for all people. As Robert Hayden says, “When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful and terrible thing, needful to man as air, usable as earth, when it belongs at last to all….” (SB70). As he says here that when freedom and liberty belong to all he can then rest, but until then he will work to strive to the best of his ability to earn equal rights for all people. When he was escaping slavery he said: “I felt like one who had escaped a den of hungry lions”. He had felt that he needed to escape as soon as possible or else he would end up dying there.

Fredrick Douglas, was a man who was born into the cruel act of slavery, around 1818 in Talbot, his original, well per se birth name was Fredrick Augustus Washington Bailey, Fredrick Douglas was not a soldier, but he was a man who was known as one, he changed the history of America for time to come.

In 1852, Frederick Douglas was asked to speak at a July 4th celebration. In his

Standing in stark contrast and opposition to Calhoun, slavery and the entire social structure of the ante-bellum South was Frederick Douglass. A renowned statesman, Douglass was also an orator, a writer, and a social reformer – some even call him the father of the Civil Rights movement. After escaping slavery in Maryland, he became a leader in the abolitionist movement in the New England states. A firm believer in equal rights for all peoples – including women, Native Americans, immigrants and blacks - Douglas spent his life of freedom as an example of how wrong the slaveholder's pro-slavery arguments were. Perhaps it is for this passion for freedom of all peoples that Douglass was asked to give a speech for the 4th of July in 1852. At an

In today’s day and age education is one of the most overlooked concept of our generation. Education is underestimated because it’s easily accessed through public or at home schooling, so the majority of our generation can at least read or write. In the narrative The Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass the concept of education can differentiate whether a black man free or enslaved. During this time period, education is crucial for the road of freedom but extremely difficult to achieve. In this narrative Douglas uses paradox to show how education can be an african american’s ‘saving grace’ but on the other hand, it could also be his worst nightmare. This is shown through the process Frederick Douglas needed to go through to become education and free. Douglas utilizes irony and character development to display this duality of education.

“A person held in servitude as the chattel of another” (Slave, n.d.). This is the definition of a “slave”. The most well-known cases of slavery occurred during the settlement of America, for well over 300 years, slavery was allowed and for the most part considered the “norm” within our country. There were many eradicators who made an attempt to end slavery, as we know at some point; they were successful at doing so. One very influential person was, Fredrick Douglas, he along with many others, were extraordinary influences in the anti-slavery movement. Douglas was known for being a social reformer, author, journalist, women’s and human rights activist, a publisher and an abolitionist all in one. He helped to shape and strengthen our nation and try to make it one with equality as possible. Dedicating his life to fighting for justice for all Americans, specifically African-Americans and minority groups. Frederick Douglass rose from slavery, this fact itself inspired him to do so much more than just write about what it was to be a slave. He turn into one of the leading African-American voices. Douglass would eventually become the best-known abolitionist in the country and the most famous black American of his time. As an alternative to only arguing against slavery, Douglass took a different approach, he asked some hard questions about what freedom really is. The speech by Fredrick Douglas, entitled “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” represents just that. It express his discontent for the way the slaves were been treated while using sarcasm to prove his point that the slaves are entitles to their freedom, liberty and all American democracy.

Frederick Douglas was a slave who eventually became free. Later on, Douglas became known as a powerful, political figure. Because he was a powerful figure, former president Andrew Johnson desired to have Fredrick Douglas give a speech on the Fourth Of July in1852. The leading citizens were expecting Douglas to speak highly about how great America was, but he did the complete opposite. Fredrick Douglas risked his life by telling the absolute truth about America. His speech has left great effect in the 21st century today. A lot of the things that he mentioned are still present in today's time because history repeats itself, a lot of racial issues are still present, and due to slavery and other situations, society has structured colored people

Douglass also served as an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments that guaranteed voting rights and other civil liberties for blacks. Douglass provided a powerful voice for human rights during this period of our American history. Frederick Douglass was also worked very hard in the women’s rights movement. He once said

During the Civil War era, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas were two figures that changed America forever. They became two of the most influential people of their time. Through their powerful and motivating speeches, they were able to change the minds of Americans and help to improve society and the welfare of the people. Douglas fought for black civil rights through compelling speeches, while Lincoln spoke more calmly and peacefully for unity with the Confederate states. Both men had very different goals but had the same motivation to achieve a better America for all.

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.

Prompt: Douglass maintains that slavery dehumanized both the slave and the slaveholder. Quoting specific passages in the Narrative support this thesis with examples.

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.

In the autobiography Frederick Douglass presents a clear picture to me of a horrifying period of American history that far too few people understand. Douglass’s personal narrative as a slave lets you feel the fear of his past and allows us to experience the suffering and pain inflicted by underserved beatings and an unhealthy lifestyle with too much physical exertion. Douglass expresses very personal feelings about his history and helps us to understand the intense hatred and disgust the American slave had for his possessor, and the sickness of hate that allowed human beings to keep other human being as slaves.