Born in 1818, Fredrick Douglass was born into slavery, and later overcoming a lot of obstacles thus becoming one the most influential man in history of America. Douglass rose (from brilliance, eloquence and determination) to shape America and he is recognized as the father of civil rights. He became women and human rights activist, an abolitionist, author, orator, publisher, social reformer as well a journalist. “Fredrick Douglass became a leader in the fight for abolition of slavery and struggled to win equal rights for the blacks” (Fleming 6). Through commitment to freedom from slavery, he dedicated his life to bring justice to the Americans, particularly African-Americans minority groups and women. Through this, Douglass envisioned people as a free nation, free from discrimination and also strengthened by diversity.
One of the greatest challenges he underwent was slavery. Slaves during that period were not allowed to study or go to school like the other people, but instead they were workers. Fredrick knew that education is power, and this was the reason as to why he got the motivation. With all the effort focused in achieving freedom, he joined the black preachers where as a preacher he advanced his writing, reading and speaking skills. He managed to learn all this skills by himself and in return he used the same knowledge in writing many books. “He had already taught himself how to read and write, and as a free man, he would discover his gift as a free man” (Fleming 10). Majority of these books focused on slavery and women rights. Through this, he worked with many presidents of United States. For instance, he was appointed by U.S Marshall in 1877 by President Hayes and also appointed as the Recorder of Deeds in 1881 by President Garfield
Among his great achievements include compelling force towards anti-slavery movements. He was appointed by Lloyd William as speaker for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society due to his power as a charismatic public speaker. He also worked as an abolitionist, and through this he was able to turn the idea of African-American to a different view thus, lowering slavery.
Through the antislavery campaigns of the early 19th century, they served as a main training ground for the women's movement. Therefore, Douglass actively encouraged the women's rights movements during that period, and at the same time, he believed black men were supposed to receive suffrage first. While demonstrating the support for women's rights, Fredrick Douglass took part in the initial feminist convention at Seneca Falls in 1848. Here, he was greatly responsible for enactment of the motion that supported female suffrage.
Fredrick Douglass was an adorable character, and that is why I paid a visit at his National Historic site in Washington D.C. This home is usually open from 9.00 to 4.00pm on daily bases. I got caught up by memories on sight of these ancient artifacts on the walls of the house. He lived in that house from 1878 to 1875. As a supporter of the republicans, Douglass home has a feeling of political and family life. The rooms are well furnished, and the estate is spacious, a situation that made me thinks of his retaliation after achieving freedom from slavery. A road from slavery to freedom with stardom had made Douglass live a luxurious life. Moreover, the sight of his old but well kept personal belongings, books, home furnishing, photographs friends and his family automatically told of a story of a bright person who came from all struggles in life to success. I was amazed to realize all this belongings were at the same positions just like Douglass and his family left them. While, in that house, fresh memories of the struggles made to fight slavery and women rights by Douglass were told by the old pictures. Fredrick Douglass National Historic Site is an amazing place visit and witness history.
Works Cited
Fleming, Alice Mulcahey. Frederick Douglass: From Slave to Statesman. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004. Print.
