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Frederick Douglass Critique

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Frederick Douglass was a prodigious writer. His position differed from those who had defended slavery, so he had to find persuasive ways to prove his point. Frederick Douglass was an unbelievable writer who through light on the American slave system by using his life story in the book The Narrative of Frederick Douglass. In particularly, one thing Douglass through light on was the slave’s conditions in human needs that were not being respected. “Much of the American South believed that slavery was vital to the continuation of its livelihood and lifestyle and therefore defend the institution of slavery,” (Pro-Slavery Arguments in the Antebellum South.) Slavery supporters wanted to keep slavery to keep hold of there good lifestyle, but while …show more content…

“Never before has the black race of Central Africa from the dawn of history to the present day, attained a condition so civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally and intellectually.” (John Calhoun, “Slavery a Positive Good”) This slave supporter John Calhoun believed that the Europeans had helped the slaves by enslaving them and improved their physicality, but they really physically hurt them instead. “It was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was the most terrible spectacle. I wish I could commit to paper the feelings which I beheld it.” (The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, p.g. 4.) The hardship of slavery and there physical harm was so bad it was hard to explain, and even than the slaveholders would still keep on hurting the slaves for sometimes no other reason than to hear there scream. “He would whip her to make her to make her scream and whip her to make her hush; and not until overcome by fatigue, would he cease to swing the blood-clotted cowskin.” (The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, p.g. 4.) Added on to labor of the slaves there physicalities were true so Fredrick showed the truth of what the slaves were feeling and were going …show more content…

“In the mindset of pro-slavery men, the institution of slavery protected the common good of slaves, masters, and society as a whole.” (Pro-Slavery Argument.) The institution said that they protected all slaves, masters, and society as a whole, but how can they do that when some don’t have as many rights as the others. “You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life. Have not I as good a right to be free as you have?”-Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass shows how the slaves weren’t getting treat equal in overall society, which could have a great effect in the end. “My soul was set all on fire. Its sympathy for my brethren in bonds—its scathing denunciations of slaveholders—its faithful exposures of slavery—and its powerful attacks upon the upholders of the institution—sent a thrill of joy through my soul, such as I had never felt before! I had not long been a reader of the “Liberator,”” (Douglass pg 100) With more freedom came power and hope that Douglass helped gave towards the cause of throwing light on the American slave system with my

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