Personality of Fredrick Douglass - Essay Example

He joined the abolition movement and became its leader because of his excellent command of speaking. This survey discusses about Frederick Douglass as a personality who struggled very hard in his life and can be seen as a shining star by his appreciators.

Frederick Douglas was born in 1818 in Maryland (Lampe, 1998). As a child, he learnt to read and write with the support of white children and men as he used to notice them reading and writing. From his childhood, he identified that only education can transform his status from a slave to a freeman. He tried multiple times to run away from his masters and at last, became successful. He thought about running from slavery to freedom with the support of his education. He also used to read newspapers with the help of which, he was able to comprehend political and social content (McFeely, 1991). He believed in his right to freedom.

Douglass used to narrate his story as a slave in abolitionist gatherings and after noticing his vigour and eloquence at speaking, he was made the leader of the movement. He used to deliver lectures on the issue of anti-slavery. He became a member of the American Anti-slavery Society and took part in tours for highlighting the curse of slavery (Oakes, 2007). During his struggle at making people acknowledge that slavery is a curse and every person has an equal right to remain free, he was attacked several times but he continued to pursue his mission.

Douglass’s speeches were so inspirational and convincing that people liked them and continued to listen to them. When Douglas used to orate in a public gathering, the crowd was usually heavily populated because of the expressiveness and strength of his words (Lampe, 1998). People used to give weight to his words because of his elaboration and power of speech. Douglass remained the property of his master until and unless he did not raise funds for his freedom by carrying out a tour of Ireland and England for the anti-slavery movement.

After coming back from England, Douglass started to turn out many newspapers with abolitionist topics (McFeely, 1991). Douglass was well aware of the effectiveness of the newspapers as in his childhood, he had seen their power and influence on people. This was the reason that motivated Douglass to start his newspapers for the education of the masses of the US.

Frederick Douglass not only worked for the anti-slavery movement but also spoke for women's rights as according to his perception, all human beings were equal and had the right to have their civil liberties. He thought that women should have equal rights to vote as men. In his view, nobody was to be deprived of any civil right to lead a life that is not suffocating whether the person is black or a woman. It was the strength of the words of Douglass that a resolution related to women’s right to vote got passed (McFeely, 1991).

According to Douglass, it was only education and knowledge that kept the power of bringing the blackout the curse of slavery (Lampe, 1998). He struggled for gaining equal rights to education for the African American population. Douglass felt that no fortified insurgence was required by the African American population but only knowledge acquisition was enough to gain their due right of freedom (Oakes, 2007). He emphasized the acquirement of an education.

During the American civil war, Douglass struggled for the obtainment of rights of his people and after the declaration of freedom of slaves, worked with the government for freeing the blacks from their masters. Blacks were given equal defence rights and citizenship after the civil war. After the civil war because of Douglass’s reputation and fame, he was offered political positions (McFeely, 1991). He worked hard for the African American population to get their right to freedom.

Frederick Douglas led a struggling life. He was able to gain a free status because of his efforts and belief in his right to be free. His speeches and eloquent writing worked a lot in letting him gain the reputation that he got. He worked for the anti-slavery movement and also supported women in gaining their rights. He regarded education as maximally important due to which, he emphasized the acquisition of education. Douglass was a courageous man who was firm and determined to gain his due rights and worked for the acquirement of rights for others.