I admire Frederick Douglass:
– because he defied the odds. He escaped slavery and taught himself to read and write. He said that “knowledge is the path from slavery to freedom.” By giving himself the gift of education, he gave himself a life of choice and prosperity. We can still learn from his message today by being continuous learners.
– because he was a great writer. During a time when it was nearly impossible for blacks to read, he found the determination and courage to document his story. His book is entitled “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” Frederick Douglass’ autobiography was published in 1845. He rewrote the autobiography twice and each time republished his life story. Frederick Douglass was also an editor. The name of his newspaper was The Northern Star.
– because he was a great orator and public speaker. Spectators, black and white, came from far and wide to hear Douglass speak and lecture. One of his famous speeches was at the Seneca Falls Convention, where he gave an impromptu speech on women’s right to vote. As a speaker, Douglass took on a great responsibility in spreading a message of hope, enlightenment, and action. He said: “I prayed for twenty years, but I did not receive an answer until I prayed with my legacy.” He knew that without action little would be achieved.
– because he was an advocate of interracial marriage. Two years after Anna, his first wife, died; Frederick Douglass married a white woman, Helen Pitts. Although the marriage caused a lot of turmoil with their adult children and between Pitts and his family, Douglass did not back down. He often made aware of the fact that although his first marriage was to a person of the color of his mother; the second was for a person of the color of his father. He admired the fact that although he was a defender of black rights, the mistreatment of blacks did not make him a racist. He valued everyone.
– because it has many honors and awards. Posthumously, Frederick Douglass is the only man to become an honorary member of Alpha Phi Alpha. There are several buildings and schools named after him. There are several statues erected in his honor. And his house in the District of Columbia is a National Historic Site.
Hopefully this article provides some alternative ways to offer information about Mr. Douglass. Aside from being an abolitionist, there are many other qualities and characteristics that he possessed.