African-American Struggles Exemplified in Literature - Essay Example

African-American Struggles Exemplified in Literature The piece that most spoke to me on the topic of African-American struggles that we have read so far was Frederick Douglass' “My Escape from Slavery”. Douglass is a well-known writer from the African-American and slave communities; he was a living testament to the fact that there is no difference in intellect or mental capacity between the races. He wrote a number of autobiographies about his life as a slave, as well as being the editor of abolitionist newspapers and giving speeches.

The tone of the essay “My Escape from Slavery” is extremely matter-of-fact, which only acts to further draw the reader's attention to the cruelty of the acts being committed. The writing tone makes these actions and the unfair laws seem mundane, shocking the modern reader into the realization that at one time, such behaviors were mundane and matter-of-fact. This, I believe, is one of the major points of the essay for readers in today's world, along with the simple explanation of the author's history.

Douglass' essay covers his trip from a slave state to the free North. During this journey, he compares himself to both a wanted criminal and a hunted prey animal. As Douglass was both a human being and an honest man, these comparisons painted an evocative picture of the fugitive slave's emotions. He had done nothing wrong other than to flee a life where he was told what to do, where to live, when to sleep, and even when to marry, have children, or die, every minute of the day, and yet he was being hunted down like a murderer.

He was a man, who should have had the same rights to life and liberty as any other, and yet he was being sought out and returned like a piece of property or a stray pet, for a reward. However, Douglass also mentions some of the kindnesses he met with on his journey. For example, he married a woman who came from a life of freedom to be with him while he was fleeing the law. Despite their inability to pay the marriage fee, the Reverend performed the ceremony anyway. Others helped him by paying for fares and food for both Douglass and his wife.

This help meant that it only took a fortnight, or two weeks, for him to travel from the dangerous slave state of Maryland to true freedom in Massachusetts.