Frederick Douglass: The Abolition Of Slavery

The legendary abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass was one of the most important social reformers of the nineteenth century. Being born into slavery on a Maryland Eastern Shore plantation to his mother, Harriet Bailey, and a white man, most likely Douglass’s first master was the starting point of his rise against the enslavement of African-Americans. Nearly 200 years after Douglass’s birth and 122 years after his death, The social activist’s name and accomplishments continue to inspire the progression of African-American youth in modern society. Through his ability to overcome obstacles, his strive for a better life through education, and his success despite humble beginnings, Frederick Douglass’s aspirations stretched his influence through

Frederick Douglass an activist for anti racism and also an abolitionist’s speech “The Hypocrisy of Slavery” was given on the occasion of celebrating the independence day. Here, in this speech he actually brought out some questions like why we should celebrate Independence Day while almost four million people were kept chained as a slave. He actually mocked the fact of the people of America’s double standards which is that they are singing out the song of liberty, on the other hand holding the chain of slavery. Frederick Douglass, a former American-African slave who managed to escape from his slavery and later on became an abolitionist gave this speech on Fourth of July,

Fredrick Douglass witnessed harsh and violent actions throughout his slave life, as slave owners utilized Christianity as a justification for these actions and for the system of slavery. Douglass experienced this religious abuse throughout his life as a slave. However, in 1832, when he began working for Captain Auld, he witnessed the misuse of religion in the setting of a violent action. After Auld whipped a young woman, he justified his actions by quoting the Bible: “He that knoweth his master’s will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many strips” (33). Auld’s misinterpretation of the passage emphasizes slave owners use of religion to reinforce their power over their slaves. Christianity rationalized the concept of buying and selling human beings, and that God approved this too. In addition, Douglass used religion as a way to fuel his abolition movement. Under Master Hugh’s, Douglass began to learn how to read and write. Once

“That this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system”, and that Frederick Douglass does in his eponymous autobiography. Douglass throws light by dispelling the myths of the slave system, which received support from all parts of society. To dispel these myths Douglass begins to construct an argument composed around a series of rhetorical appeals and devices. Douglass illustrates that slavery is dehumanizing, corrupting, and promotes Christian hypocrisy.

Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Douglass wrote the novel “The Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass” which depicted his life as a slave and enticed his ambition to become a free man. This novel helped form the big abolitionist movement. In the chapters of this novel, it explains important details like how he first learned to read and write, stays at different plantations, later in life events, leading up to his freedom.

Frederick Douglass gave an Insight on what a slave had to go through and how they lived (6). He was very influential in his speeches that he gave (3). He use his speeches to start an end to slavery (6). To this day he is one of the most intellectual leaders of his time period (3). Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist in the transcendental movement (2).

The Second Great Awakening during the late 18th and 19th centuries sparked many reform movements in the United States. The new enlightenment age fostered scientific thought that often challenged traditional Christian practices. Principles of “Deism” and “Unitarianism” were religious philosophies that focused on free will, reason, and science. Thus, less literal biblical interpretations began to arise during this period. These new behaviors worried many preachers, so they began to reform the church in a way that promoted good works and change for the benefit of society. Many of the revivalists resided in New York and the northern states. This age in history, referred to as

Slavery is traced back to 1792 B.C.E and was a common practice that is used in ways to benefit the owner so he could get more work done throughout their daily life but even when the beginning of civilization ended, people still used slaves, as they were easily forced to meet the demands of the people. Therefore, slavery during civilization times had limits which changed drastically once the era of exploration and discovery came due to economic and cultural expansion that caused their relationship, extent, and nature to have a an entirely different meaning.

Fredrick Douglass was a prominent figure as a leader in the fight against the continuance of slavery in Antebellum American. Douglass had been born into slavery but through a series of kindness, a willingness to learn, and a sharp intellect he was able to find his way to freedom literate and ready to help recuse his fellow slaves. Education beyond their manual labor, a deeper understanding into the truth behind their taught Christianity, and the willingness to share his experiences of hate, pain, and abuse allowed Douglass to place himself apart from his peers and reach a level that garnered him the support to make changes in the world.

In his autobiography, former slave turned abolitionist and writer, Frederick Douglass, makes a rather bold statement about the relationship between religion and slavery. He goes so far as to say that the most zealous religious practitioners made the cruelest masters and “found religious sanction and support for [their] slaveholding cruelty” (Douglass 32). However, this raises the question of how radical this idea truly is. Is it really so hard to believe that people would be more likely to dig out and stress religious beliefs that coincide with their own actions? I personally believe that most people are more likely to use their beliefs to justify the morality of their actions rather than to question it.

In “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, Douglass narrates in detail the oppressions he went through as a slave before winning his freedom. In the narrative, Douglass gives a picture about the humiliation, brutality, and pain that slaves go through. We can evidently see that Douglass does not want to describe only his life, but he uses his personal experiences and life story as a tool to rise against slavery. He uses his personal life story to argue against common myths that were used to justify the act of slavery. Douglass invalidated common justification for slavery like religion, economic argument and color with his life story through his experiences torture, separation, and illiteracy, and he urged for the end of slavery.

On December fifteenth, in eighteen sixty-five, the United States abolished slavery with the thirteenth amendment. Powerful individuals such as Frederick Douglass, David Walker, Nat Turner, Sojourner Truth, and Benjamin Banneker were people that longed to see the day that they would be free from slavery. Although these five individuals were never in contact with one another they all shared the same drive and motivation to change the way people viewed slavery for the better. These individuals accomplished their goal of changing slavery with a strong belief in god, a strong political voice and a light in them that never died.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” (Frederick Douglass). Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, he escaped slavery, then became an abolitionist. Frederick Douglass changed how we saw the world.

The book of Philemon, although short in length, packs a noteworthy dual message utilizing the concept of slavery. There is the overarching theme of relations between master and slave, as well as the human desire of wanting to enjoy true freedom. The letter from Paul to Philemon explores their relationship and how the conversion of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, to Christianity could impact the relationship of a slave and slave owner. Additionally, Paul touches upon how he thinks friend Philemon should react, thus leaving it open to interpretation as to his thoughts on the institution of slavery. The principles that play out in Paul’s letter show relevancy to everyday life, but in particular to my professional role; therefore, proving it is timeless.

People who grow up in a bad situation sometimes struggle to become a middle-class citizen – but a few – go beyond that and become successful. We've heard stories, seen movies, and read books that talk about someone overcoming impossible odds to be the strong person they are today; however, it is not as impactful until you hear personal stories from someone you are very close to. Fredrick Douglass' story impacted the thoughts of many, but for me the emotional cut went deeper when I compared his stories to my mom’s.