Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And Superfly

When discussing slave and neo slave narratives and films, it’s essential to understand the audience that the film or narrative is targeting. With the importance of the audience comes the larger question of the purpose of the work itself. In “Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” and “Superfly” the purpose of these works exemplifies black representation and the journey of rising in the American class system. With careful consideration from both works, the message that a political and cultural change was vital in order to allow blacks to not only be represented properly but to gain personal freedom. Despite that personal freedom for Youngblood Priest and Frederick Douglass was different, both endured the racial oppression

Frederick Douglass was writing to an audience that understood slavery as something that was still prevalent whereas Superfly was directed towards a post civil rights audience. Douglass was intending to educate ignorant audiences about the cruelty and harsh reality of slave lives, with a firm and reflective tone Douglass gives first hand experiences about his life as a slave. Superfly was reaching out to a post civil rights audience that had not experienced slavery itself but was still constantly oppressed due to the aftermath of racial prejudice that had been felt for over a century. Each respective work was aiming to break barriers and challenge stereotypes given to black people since even before the time of Frederick

By examining Douglass’ narrative his resilience to educate white audiences about the horror of slavery can be seen through his own story. Douglass’ narrative is set up in order for him to give an example of someone who has suffered through slavery and has witnessed first hand the harsh lives of slaves. Although the narrative feels like a success story, Douglass understood that his freedom wouldn't truly feel like freedom until slavery was abolished. By writing, “Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren in bonds … relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice, for success in my … efforts and solemnly pledging myself anew to the sacred cause, I subscribe myself” (Douglass 76). Sheds light on the idea that slavery was good for the slave. Due to his northern white readership, Douglass used his narrative to shape the minds of his audience so they could too, see the atrocious nature of the slaveholder. Douglass’ narrative was a powerful political tool that has inspired audiences throughout