Introduction
When exploring and honoring the complicated and tragic journey of emancipation, one should remember one of the key figures in the abolition of slavery – Frederick Douglass. This selfless, empathetic, determined, brave, and ethically oriented activist played a significant role in encouraging Black Americans on their way to freedom and ensuring that the idea of equality was nurtured and promoted by other political figures. Introduced early in the 17th century and being a dying institution in the 1780s, slavery started flourishing again by the 1800s. In order to achieve freedom, the Abolition Movement emerged around that time, and its members prepared speeches and searched for a compromise between the opposers and supporters of slavery.
In his autobiography, Frederick Douglass describes the unfortunate reality of an enslaved child who did not have even the primary rights and opportunities. “The white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege,” the activist wrote (Douglass, Autobiography 18). A number of specific factors and events allowed Douglass to realize his desire and opportunity to become free and then bring this right to other people. These aspects that made him an influential voice for African-American equality were the violence and slavery he experienced as a child, the separation from his mother, the attitudes of slaveowners, his escape from the plantation, and his writings and speeches.
Early Life in Enslavement: Douglass’ Masters and the Figure of Mother
The first influential aspect of Frederick Douglass’ life that later made him a powerful voice for African-American equality was his early experiences of slavery and the separation from his mother. It is hard to disagree that the abuse that he and his mother faced solidified Douglass’ character. Possibly, if not for the scenes of injustice, violence, and the dependent position of some people over others that Douglass observed and experienced from early childhood, he would not be so determined to end slavery (Douglass, Autobiography 22). For instance, as a young child, the future activist saw a slaveowner whipping “a woman, causing the blood to run half an hour at the time; and this, too, in the midst of her crying children, pleading for their mother’s release. He seemed to take pleasure in manifesting his fiendish barbarity” (Douglass, Autobiography 26). Therefore, the accumulated childhood memories of cruelty and the very first unfairness in his life – the separation from his mother- hardened his character and gave him the strength to struggle further.
These experiences are explored by Walker, primarily in the first three chapters. Being accompanied by appropriate illustrations, the description of Douglass’ childhood and adolescence is striking in its realistic cruelty (Walker 18-19). Indeed, the most tragic scene is the break with Frederick’s mother, who was one of the key figures in the life of the future activist. She gave him the strength to win, and here, all further Douglass’ struggle is implied (Walker 19). In his autobiography, the activist writes that he met with his mother no more than five times, never in the daylight. It is barbaric and quite traumatic that he was also not allowed to be present during her illness, death, and burial (Douglass, Autobiography 20). Knowing this, most people can understand why it became so important for Douglass to promote equality so that no other kids would experience the same.
The owners of Douglass played a significant role in his fate; some showed cruelty, and others allowed him to live more freely. For example, there were situations when Frederick’s mistress took care of him “with a mother’s tenderness” (Douglass, Autobiography 101). On the contrary, the first impressions of slavery and violence were received by the young boy on his first master’s plantations. Both positive and negative experiences with the slaveowners during his childhood made Frederick take such an active position in the future.
Way to Freedom as a Turning Point
One may suggest that if not for the personal freedom that Douglass illegally and trickily achieved, contemporary and future generations would not have learned about such a powerful and impactful public figure of 19th-century America. Frederick attended a religious gathering outside his free-roaming zone, and the resulting discontent fueled his forces to escape slavery. Through complex manipulation, Douglass eventually managed to run away, start earning money as a free man, and change his name to what would forever be enshrined in the history of the fight against slavery.
Noticeably, this escape by dressing up as a sailor is described by Walker in a very action-packed way, immersing the reader in feelings for the success of the whole adventure. Similarly, the activist himself devoted a major part of his autobiography to this significant event, emphasizing the incredible tension of preparing for the escape (Douglass, Autobiography). He also described how exactly the idea of running away came into his mind to be later nurtured and turned into action.
Two white men recommended the boy to escape slavery, and in this part of the writing, readers can learn about another terrible deed common for the whites of those times. According to the writer, “white men have been known to encourage slaves to escape, and then, to get the reward, catch them and return them to their masters” (Douglass, Autobiography 55). When planning the risky action, the anxiety grew, and Douglass had to prove in detail, first of all, to himself the success and necessity of the undertaking (Douglass 75). Douglass’s feelings are described with surprising ease when he managed to feel safe. He gladly took on any possible job because it provided an opportunity to earn a living on his own.
Generally speaking, the success of the escape and the determination to take such a step in the first place prove Frederick’s unique spirit of a fighter. Douglass’ incredible courage and resilience to present freedom to himself allowed him to then become a leader of the abolitionist movement and achieve incredible results. Therefore, this stage of escape is the most important in Frederick’s self-awareness of a free man and a fighter for others’ freedom, primarily because he did not run away to get a calm and selfish life but decided to help other people who were in an enslaved position.
Encouraging Communication
Finally, it is impossible not to mention another significant aspect of Douglass’ contribution to the abolition of slavery. Understanding that people were either against the idea of setting African Americans free or too afraid to even think about it, the activist realized that such a thought should be promoted. During his fight against slavery, Douglass met like-minded people who inspired him to travel and enhance the importance of not surrendering. Frederick published his first autobiography and entered politics to prepare inspiring and encouraging speeches. He also met with Abraham Lincoln several times to discuss the status of enslaved people, which were possibly some of the key conversations in American history.
In Walker’s book, Douglass appears as a flamboyant public figure who intends to provide long-awaited freedom to other individuals. The adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865 marked the beginning of an extended and complicated journey of emancipation and was the first essential victory for Black people. Douglass, who personally interacted with Lincoln, made a significant contribution to this event (Walker 15). Although they had some misunderstandings and varied views on Black and White Americans, both politicians made such a powerful relationship possible and beneficial. As an individual who personally experienced the horrors of slavery, Douglass is described as a strong, determined, and empathetic man for whom the struggle does not end with his own liberation and who focuses on ethical and moral principles.
Finally, Douglass prepared several writings and addresses to promote his ideas and publicly support those seeking freedom. Thus, one of his most striking achievements is the creation of an autobiography that proves his determination to challenge the established canons of society. Douglass creates his first work, trying to dispel doubts, prove his literacy and enlighten the community about the horrors of slavery (Douglass 12). He does not reflect on his contribution to the social movement in this work but acts as a biographer who intends to emphasize the importance of abandoning the slave system.
Further, his speech “What the Black Man Wants” leaves no one indifferent. In it, he explained the meaning of slavery, stating that “when any individual or combination of individuals undertakes to decide for any man when he shall work, where he shall work, at what he shall work, and for what he shall work, he or they practically reduce him to slavery” (Douglass, The Black Man). Providing the audience with invaluable support and inspiration by saying that “the war has proved that there is a great deal of human nature in the Negro, and that “he will fight,” the activist maintained this powerful spirit in the enslaved people. As a consequence, his addresses and writings indeed made him a powerful voice for African-American equality.
Conclusion
To draw a conclusion, one may say that the value and impact of Douglass’ efforts and strength of spirit cannot be overestimated. This influential figure was once an enslaved child who lost his mother and was deprived of the right to enjoy the simplest pleasures available for White kids. However, he used this experience to become stronger, escape, and start promoting the abolition of slavery through his writings and addresses.