Frederick Douglass and His Activism - Research Paper Example

Frederick Douglass and His Activism Slavery is an action against human rights. Despite activists’ endeavors to end the vice, slavery existed for several decades especially in the ancient times. Those individuals born during the dictatorial regime were highly affected by slavery owing to the fact that it dominated during those times. Frederick Douglass serves as a good example of a victim of slavery since he was born to face the reality of slavery in his times. Since his childhood, Frederick felt the impact of slavery in the society. Slavery denied him the opportunity to experience motherly love. At the age of six, he witnessed the cruelty of masters to slaves. Being a black child, the law required him to become a slave just like his mother. Frederick did not have a chance to attend school except for a little guidance from the wife of his master (Schmitt 6). However, this opportunity did not last long. Frederick took every opportunity to learn and his efforts made him a good orator. He used this skill to create a positive impact in society. Frederick spent his life advocating for justice in society. He was a vessel of justice in society. Frederick adopted principles that guided his life and actions (Reed 4). Despite his status as a slave, he believed in himself, and was always confident that one time he shall achieve what he believed. He did not let the determination to change his situation and that of others die. Although slavery shattered his ego and value as a man, he fought tirelessly and eventually rose above this. Contrary to what others could do or did, Frederick started the fight against the horrors of slavery when he was still a slave. He opposed the serious whipping that slaves received from their masters. With the little knowledge of formal education that he received from his master’s wife, he opened a school for slave children. He taught the children basics about reading and awakened in them the zeal to learn. He realized that education was the only pathway out of slavery. According to Schmitt, he escaped from slavery and went to New York (7). It is in this city that he started out on his anti slavery journey. He joined the abolitionists who relentlessly fought against slavery. Frederick made speeches in campaigns and exposed the real situation and plight of slaves. Because of his skills as an orator, he created an impact among people. However, he could not disclose specific information for fear of recapture back to slavery (10). The abolitionists promoted him to an antislavery agent because of his intriguing speeches on the suffering if slaves. This promotion granted him an opportunity to lobby for end to slavery. He used this opportunity well as he traversed different cities making speeches at different campaigns. Out of faith in himself, he had learnt how to write and in 1845, he released his first autobiography. This autobiography carried the story of plight in a slave home and his experiences as a slave. From the story of his life, he painted a picture of the real sate of a slave in the minds of many. The autobiography, a narrative of his life preached his message everywhere as it sold as far as Britain. However, publishing the narrative increased the risk of recapture back into slavery. Therefore, he left for Europe. Being in a foreign land did stop him from delivering speeches advocating for the end of slavery. Having gained experience in lecturing, he continued doing that in Britain, Ireland, and Scotland. The commitment to fight for the freedom of fellow man earned him fame. Advocates in England helped him buy his freedom from slavery. Now a free man, he was determined to do much more to end slavery, which denied human beings basic rights. Frederick returned to United States with a new strategy in his mind. He ventured into journalism for the sole purpose of being the voice of the oppressed in society. He launched the North Star, a paper expressing his views on slavery. In a short time, he wrote different papers supporting his activism in the fight against slavery. In addition, he stood to fight for the African American males to gain entry into the army. Concerning this, he wrote an article to urge them to rise against racism and join the army. This was during the civil war in America at the time. At that time, African-Americans faced discrimination and Douglass fought against this injustice. The colored people faced many injustices in society and this affected Frederick too. He faced criticism when he married a light woman after the death of his wife. His activism went as far as pleading with the president to call for abolition of slavery during the war. He was determined to ensure that the men of color enjoyed equal rights as legal citizens. He lobbied for passing of the two amendments in the American constitution that supported the rights of black citizens (Skepto and Douglass 2). In addition, Frederick recognized the injustices surrounding the life of women. As a principle, he took every opportunity to fight gender inequalities in society. He was among the hosts of the first convention advocating for women rights. He was dedicated to doing everything possible to ensure that women enjoyed just and equal rights (Douglass 376). He believed it was time to free women from the customs that bound them and gave those limitations to participate in society. He published articles on women rights, spreading his message to all people. Later, he published an editorial on the right of women to vote. Frederick realized that denying women the right to vote was an injustice to the society. Denying women the right to vote was condemning them to silence in their own nation. They needed to express their voice through the ballot. Frederick supported all movements addressing issues concerning women, a cause he followed until the day he died. He participated on all forums advocating for women rights. He lectured women on their basic rights creating awareness among those who did not realize they needed freedom (Douglass 378). Frederick did not limit his activism against slavery to America alone. He travelled to Canada preaching the message of abolition of slavery. He made sacrifices and initiated programs that collected funds to buy the freedom of slaves (Schmitt 17). He published papers and used all benefits to ensure that slaves obtained their freedom. Later in his life, he got the opportunity to serve as a government representative at different posts. During his service, he used the opportunity to bring positive change to society, as this had always been his principle. According to Donna, the journey from the status of a slave to an activist who fought for civil and women rights shows Frederick’s determination. Despite all the challenges he faced in the fight, he never stopped. He wanted to see a changed nation. He cared for the slaves in the southern region and wanted to see their liberation. He lived an example of what he preached. He never let a single opportunity for change pass. He invited women to his home to lecture them and encourage them to fight for their rights. According to Connery, the civil war provided him with an opportunity to make proposals to the president. This earned the black males the right to join the army. Douglass encouraged people of the black skin to believe in themselves. In addition, he encouraged them to seize all opportunities and drive away ignorance. He realized that ignorance contributed greatly to the suffering of the people. Due to ignorance, the people did not understand the value of fighting for their rights. The African- Americans underestimated themselves because they lacked education. However, Frederick urged them that if only they believed in themselves, they were able to achieve anything. In conclusion, Frederick contributed a great deal to abolition of slavery. All his publications relate to the call he lived for. He sought to bring change to society. Despite the barriers, he stopped at nothing. He made sacrifices for himself and for fellow man, the true spirit of a transformational leader (Schmitt 17). He made efforts to acquire skills that enabled him to impart change him to e a vessel of change. He realized that value of education. He fought for the right of women until the end of his life. His publications did a great deal passing the message. Although at first, he felt like a slave deep inside, he conquered the fear within him and travelled to different places, lecturing on abolition. In addition, he did not let his background to become a limiting factor in his life. He used his story as a case study on why change was essential. His fight bore fruit in the end. Slaves in the south gained their freedom and the blacks received equal treatment. His literature tells his story up to date. In the American history, Frederick remains a true vessel of change. Work Cited Connery, William. The Life & Legacy of Frederick Douglass. Web 9 Dec. 2011. Donna from Cal State Fullerton. FREEDOM HERO: FREDERICK DOUGLASS. Web 9 Dec. 2011. Douglass, Frederick. The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. New York: Cosimo, Inc. 2008. Print. Reed, Arthea. A Teacher’s Guide top the Signet Classic Edition of Frederick Douglass’s A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. Web 9 Dec. 2011. Schmitt, Victoria. Rochester’s Frederick Douglass. Web 9 Dec. 2011. Stepto, Robert. and Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Boston: Harvard University Press. 2009. Print. Read More