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Frederick Douglass: Breaking Down The Barriers

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Breaking Down the Barriers
“Oh Lord, O my Lord! O my great Lord, keep me from sinking down.” This was a song sung by slaves to pass the time while they toiled the land. In the United States there were about four million slaves during the 1800s. One former slave wanted to portray the realistic views of the negative effect of the slave system during this era. Frederick Douglass, born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, was a prominent abolitionist, orator, author, and a national leader. Born a slave, Douglass went on to become an anti-slavery activist during the abolitionist movement in the 1840s. Through Douglass’s autobiographies and other works of literature, the social injustices and the realistic views of slavery was brought to America’s …show more content…

The slave system was a broken system that held an impact on the nation as a whole. Many slave owners viewed slavery as a vital part of the economic progression of our nation, without slavery the nation would collapse. No one should be sub-servant to anyone regardless of race. Etienne Balibar and Emmanuel Wallerstein described what many slaveholders already seem to have understood: having a sense of history "is a central element in the socialization of individuals, in the maintenance of group solidarity, in the establishment of or challenge to social legitimation" (Walter 233-247). During 1855-1856 Douglass gave about 70 lectures during the abolitionist movement that spoke of the injustice of the broken slave system. One of Douglass’s famous quotes during one of the speaking engagements depicted his view of how the July 4th festivities were not for the “Negro.” “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and …show more content…

Do you know what you are capable of accomplishing in life? Many of us have had or heard similar questions in their lifespan. It is our God-given right as humans to take control of your own life. That was the same message that Douglass wanted people, not just slaves to know. Self-ownership is taking total control over your life, body, and mind. Douglass maintained that every person is a self-owner, and that slave owners were “thieves.” Slavery was about control and dominance over someone else. The slaves were controlled by their owners, not themselves. They were told what to do, what they could eat, where to sleep etc. No one, regardless of race or gender should have that kind of power and control over another human being. Douglass wanted the slaves to stand up and stand tall. They were to take back what was and are

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Douglass’s descriptions of the slave trade were extremely vivid, from the details of how American’s viewed slaves, to the sounds of whips cracking and how a woman was encumbered by the weight of the child she carried and the chains that she wore. These details would bring readers to know what it was like to be in a slaves shoes at that time. His speech is driven by first had accounts of the degradations of slavery and would not be credible if it wasn’t for this fact. I believe that Douglass’s tone throughout the speech was hopeful, he enforced the cause of the Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society with the hopes of making the United States more complete when slavery ended.

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He believed that every man, even African-Americans should have the same chance and be able to better their lives. Even though, African-Americans may not be on the same playing field as Caucasian Americans in all respects, with national rights toward all Americans. Douglass thoughts on slavery, would be up to the local self-government as well as, an individual self-determination. He would go as far as to said, “That he would not force government involvement or make to free people who did not want it for themselves.” Douglass felt that it should be handle at the state government level, as what they decide to do with the departure of slavery (Fonder,

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Frederick Douglass on July 4th ,1852 gave a speech titled “ What To The American Slave Is Your Fourth of July?” Douglass gave this speech in Rochester,Ny in front of a crowd of white Americans. Throughout his speech he questions the audience a lot. He wants them to see and understand the viewpoint of a black slave. Douglass does not consider the fourth of July a day to celebrate instead he says “This fourth of July is yours, not mine” “You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

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Frederick Douglass, born into slavery in 1818, remains an iconic figure in American history as an abolitionist, public speaker, noteworthy writer, and devoted civil and womens rights activist. Overcoming tremendous challenges, Douglass was crucial in developing the outline for the abolitionist movement and advocating for the rights of African Americans. The purpose of this research paper is to explain the life and accomplishments of Frederick Douglass, examining his enduring impact on American society and the lives of countless individuals who sought to follow in his footsteps. Early Life and Education: Born in Maryland as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, Douglass was exposed to the harsh realities of slavery from an early age. He was

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As time passed by, Frederick Douglass became well known. He empowered African Americans to develop their own skills to make a change in society. In Frederick’s opinion, he believed that people uphold the power to form a better future. Frederick questioned saying, “ what to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim” (Douglass 12).

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Once he escaped slavery in Maryland, Douglass began to lead the abolitionist movement that were taking place in New York and the state of Massachusetts. His leadership, writings, and use of voice allowed for Douglass to achieve and receive great recognition. In New York, Douglass was asked to give a speech to a crowd of believers and supporters of the abolitionist movement. The name of this speech was called, “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” In this speech, Douglass explains how although the fourth of July may appear to be a happy and exciting holiday for where people can celebrate their independence, it is a sad day for African Americans.

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Douglass also understood that as long as men (and women and children) were used by other people for their own greed and gain, both people would be unhappy. If a slave owner, a man, said to his slave, that everything about him was his, then would the owner be willing to own all of the fight, rebellious nature, and the desire for freedom that went on inside the slave? “No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.” (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, written by Himself).

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Frederick Douglass believed if everyone is equal, everyone should know how to read and write. During this time people believed slavery was a way of life. They believed blacks were animals and were not capable of being a part of society. Douglass explores the difference between the fact

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He also struggled for stopping the racial violation and helped the fleeing slaves to escape. One of the main point of Douglass’s speech was slavery should be stopped. And he also argued that what’s the point of celebrating Fourth July if the term liberty doesn’t apply equally for all? He also exhibited that a slave is also a human being like others. If white people have the right to utilize all the rights and facilities as a citizen, on the whole as a human, why will the black people lead a life as sub human?

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He also stated, "To make a contented slave, you must make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision, and, as far as possible, to annihilate his power of reason"(Douglass Narrative of the Life... 64). This quote underlines the strategies put into play by slave owners to maintain and maintain control. This quote analyzes the defeat of the moral and intellectual development of slaves. Douglass indirectly calls for the end of slavery.

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Douglass expresses to his spectators, while they dwell in the luxurious ability to partake in this joyous celebration of freedom for a nation, not everyone in that nation is sharing in the celebration. In The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, he writes “The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you and not by me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn” (Douglass 1).

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“I have observed this in my experience of slavery, – that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free, and set me to thinking of plans to gain my freedom.” Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, this autobiography was published in 1845. Frederick a prominent abolitionist figure was the first black “public intellectual.” At a time where many slaves were illiterate and prohibited to learn how to read and write, Douglass, despite being forbidden to do so by his master (Hugh Auld), managed to learn to read and write. His narrative has very astounding vocabulary which impressed many people.

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The legendary abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass was one of the most important social reformers of the nineteenth century. Being born into slavery on a Maryland Eastern Shore plantation to his mother, Harriet Bailey, and a white man, most likely Douglass’s first master was the starting point of his rise against the enslavement of African-Americans. Nearly 200 years after Douglass’s birth and 122 years after his death, The social activist’s name and accomplishments continue to inspire the progression of African-American youth in modern society. Through his ability to overcome obstacles, his strive for a better life through education, and his success despite humble beginnings, Frederick Douglass’s aspirations stretched his influence through

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Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, separated from his mother at birth. Douglass from the time of his birth, was subjected to the harsh civil injustices and racism prevalent in the 19th century in the United States. By writing details of his life in The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass one is able to receive a firsthand account of the harrowing struggles he faces while being in captivity such as having poor living conditions, and experiencing physical punishment at the smallest rule infraction. Douglass is not seen as a person, but rather property, not even aware of the day he was born, “I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it” (Douglass 1). At this time, black Americans

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Douglass’s position differ from those who supported slavery is that people who supported slavery, they thought it was a natural thing to do because on the Document “ Slavery a positive Good” on paragraph 1 it says, “ To maintain the existing relations between two races, inhabiting that section of the Union, is indispensable to the peace and happiness of both…. But let me not be understood as admitting, even by implication, that the existing relations between two races in the slaveholding states is an evil: - far otherwise; I hold to be good, as it has thus far proved itself both, and will continue to prove so if not disturbed by the fell spirit of abolition.” What this piece of evidence is saying is that slavery is a good thing and not a bad thing and that abolition should stop. Another way that Frederick Douglass’s position is different from people that support is that people who support slavery is that the people who support slavery has a different perspective of what is right and what is wrong because on the Document “ Slavery a Positive Good” paragraph 2 it says,” I hold in the present state of civilization, where two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual, are brought together, the relation now existing in the slaveholding States between the two is, instead of an evil, a good- a positive good… I hold then, that

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