If I Were Alive Today

If I Were Alive Today (Fredrick Douglass)

Frederick Douglass is one of the most iconic abolitionists and orators of the 19th century. He protested and helped changed America’s views of slavery through his actions and personal writings. Douglass is well known for his autobiographies detailing his childhood as a slave to being educated by the wife of his master Hugh Auld to his escape from slavery. All of which had a strong impact on his writings. The oratory skills he executed left the biggest influence on Civil War Era literature.

The legendary Frederick Douglass was born in February 1818, in the state of Maryland. He was self-educated and made it his mission to escape the nightmare of slavery. He failed to escape the first time but was successful the second time in 1838. Douglass’ time as a slave and the hardships he faced such as whoopings, near starvation with little meals, and extreme racism. His disgust of slavery led him write his well known autobiography, Narrative Of the Life Of Frederick Douglass, and others. Douglass uses a straight-forward but logical strategy to exhibit his deepest thoughts and feelings on being a slave in Maryland. One description from the narrative, “I have often been so pinched with hunger as to dispute with old “Nep, the dog, for the crumbs which fell from the kitchen table” (Douglass, 34).

The driving force behind the Douglass’ was to persevere through the tough days in the hope that he would be liberated. What makes Douglass’ books so incredible is that the stories within him are his real life dealing with slavery, and his goal to show the world how terrible slavery really was. Being abolitionist, Frederick Douglass advocated for emancipation and suffrage, consulting with President Abraham Lincoln about how black soldiers should be treated and continuing his now-flourishing career as orator. Over the course of his life, he had many writings on the subject of emancipation and his life as a slave (Huggins et al.,1980).

Two social issues that Frederick Douglas would no doubt protest are the killings of African-American males by white police officers and Confederate flags/statues in various states of the U.S. For the former, Douglass loved his people immensely and did not want them to be whooped or killed. The issue of black males being killed by white cops has been an ongoing problem for years in today’s society from victims like Michael Brown, Walter Scott, and Eric Garner. These wrongful deaths caused by white cops happened back-to-back and being a proud black man himself. I would say Frederick Douglass would have books/articles and even videos heavily criticizing police departments all over the country.

As for the Confederate flags and statues in the United States, Douglass despised the Confederacy and everything they stood for. He makes the hatred obvious by saying, “Shoot down the Confederacy and uphold the flag; the American flag” (Douglass, 1865). With the abundance of flags and statues in public places Frederick Douglass would be a prominent protestor through meetings with the president and national articles to have them removed completely. Especially since the Union won the Civil War and slavery was erased. Thus, making the Confederacy's idealism insignificant and not to be commemorated by any means.

Finally, Frederick Douglass is one of the most loved and respected civil rights leaders of all time. Even earning the title, “Father of the civil rights movement”. His brilliance, articulation and determination are a national treasure in America, and he will forever be known by everyone through his books on the chaos of slavery and racism that personify Frederick Douglass’ legacy.