WHY WE HONOR THE LEGACY OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS
For over forty years, the month of February in America has been designated as Black History Month: an annual observance recognizing African Americans in history and celebrating their achievements.
THE LEGACY OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS
In recognition of Black History Month, one of our most popular history professors, Dr. Richard Bell (University of Maryland), discussed why it is so important to honor the legacy of abolitionist leader, Frederick Douglass. According to Professor Bell:
“Douglass’s legacy is the vision to build a better world; a world in which Black people are equal partners and enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as someone as historically privileged as I am. Douglass’s legacy is the legacy of an activist, an advocate, a freedom fighter, and a seeker of justice. Honoring that legacy means honoring that vision and doing our part to work to bring a better world–and a more perfect Union–into being.”
Frederick Douglass, one of America’s most important historical figures, continues to inspire modern-day human rights and civil rights activism. He was an educator, activist, abolitionist, and public speaker. Born into slavery in or around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland, his owner’s wife taught him the alphabet; he subsequently taught himself to read and write. While still enslaved, Douglass taught others how to read and write. Douglass escaped his enslavement and fled to New York and then Massachusetts, where he became involved in the abolitionist movement.
Douglass traveled the U.S. advocating for the abolishment of slavery, as well asthe UK and Ireland, and forged relationships with others fighting for freedom and equality. He was an advocate for women’s rights, and specifically the right of women to vote. Douglass was even asked by Victoria Woodhull to serve as her Vice President in 1872. In this class, we will discuss Douglass’ life and work as an advocate for electoral participation, gender inclusion, and racial equity. We will discuss the historical implications of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the subsequent amendments to the Constitution expanding the civil rights and civil liberties in the U.S. In this current political moment, it is important to contextualize the efforts of Douglass to change hearts and minds towards the institution of slavery across the U.S. and abroad.
THE IMPACT OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS’ LEGACY
In this introductory excerpt from his stirring lecture entitled “The Visionary Genius of Frederick Douglas,” Professor Bell paints a vivid picture of the escaped slave who became a famous anti-slavery leader and prominent author:
“Frederick Douglass was a visionary—a prophet who could see a better future that lay just beyond reach. He was, alongside Lincoln, the greatest American of the 19thcentury and he put his extraordinary gifts to use in the service of freedom, driving American slavery into the grave. After the carnage of the Civil War, he played a central role in the re-founding of the American Republic, as well, and spent decades trying to perfect it.
And yet Douglass is so much more than another great man on a pedestal. He was the slave who dreamed of being a senator. He was the unlettered child with no formal schooling who wrote not one, not two, but three autobiographies, becoming one of our greatest literary figures.
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS
His life bursts with change and with contradiction. He was the dignified, brilliant, and courageous freedom fighter who could sometimes be insecure, vain, and arrogant. He was the outspoken feminist who treated his own long-suffering wife like his servant. He was the fire-breathing insurgent who would eventually become the out-of-touch elder statesman. To understand how the boy born into bondage in 1818 became the Frederick Douglass that we hold in such esteem today, we must understand that this man’s many-sided genius was not infallible or innate. It was, instead, the imperfect yet beautiful product of growth, change, self-doubt, and struggle.”
FAQs
Finding that Douglass has failed, Covey orders him to take off his clothes and receive punishment. When Douglass does not respond, Covey rushes at him, tears his clothing off, and whips him repeatedly. Covey continues to whip Douglass almost weekly, usually as punishment for Douglass's supposed “a*wkwardness.”
What lesson did Frederick Douglass teach us? ›
Douglass narrative teaches about self-determination and courage. Despite the suffering he underwent under different slave-masters including in Covey's hand, he did not lose hope. He was determined to escape whether it meant losing his life. It is this determination that would help slaves overcome the unending slavery.
What psychological effect did Covey's brutality have on Douglas? ›
Thus Douglass shows that Covey's brutality causes Douglass to lose intangible parts of himself, including his ambition to become educated. Similarly, Douglass presents his triumph over Covey later in Chapter X as both a physical and a mysteriously mental and spiritual endeavor.
What is the outcome of Douglass fight with Covey? ›
The consequences of this fight were not only Douglass's victory and Covey never whipping Douglass again, but also Douglass's rethinking the meaning of freedom.
What nickname did Mr Covey's slaves give him Covey and why? ›
He calls Covey “the snake,” in part because he sneaks through the grass, but also because this nickname is a reference to Satan's appearance in the form of a snake in the biblical book of Genesis.
How did Mr Covey treat his slaves? ›
Covey pushed his slaves to the limit, making them work long hours, and he constantly spied on them to make sure they did the work. Despite his professed religious piety, Covey saw profit in breeding slaves, so he bought a female slave and hired a married man to have sex with her for a year.
How many slaves did Frederick Douglass free? ›
Frederick Douglass was a runaway slave who became one of the most influential abolitionists in the years leading up to the Civil War. Through his work with the Underground Railroad, it is estimated that at least 400 runaway slaves were helped by Douglass and his wife.
How old was Frederick Douglass when he escaped slavery? ›
At the age of 20, after several failed attempts, he escaped from slavery and arrived in New York City on Sept. 4, 1838.
Was Frederick Douglass born into slavery? ›
Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. Enslavers often ripped apart or fractured family relationships. Young Frederick barely knew his mother, who died when he was a young child on a distant forced labor camp. He never knew his father.
Why did Covey buy Caroline? ›
Covey purchased a slave named Caroline to gain more slaves. He also hired a man named Mr. Samuel Harrison to live with her so they could give him a child. More slaves meant more wealth for him because he would have more people to work for him.
Sandy Jenkins offers Douglass a root from the forest with supposedly magical qualities that help protect slaves from whippings. Douglass does not seem to believe in the magical powers of the root, but he uses it to appease Sandy.
Why was Douglas sent to Covey? ›
Douglass had converted to Christianity and tried to start a Sunday school for other slaves but was thwarted. Because he had a rebellious streak, Auld sent him to a “slave breaker” named Edward Covey to crush his spirit with the lash. Within a week, Covey had whipped Douglass savagely.
Who were the worst slaveholders according to Douglass? ›
For of all slaveholders with whom I have ever met, religious slaveholders are the worst. I have ever found them the meanest and basest, the most cruel and cowardly, of all others. It was my unhappy lot not only to belong to a religious slaveholder, but to live in a community of such religionists.
What was Frederick Douglass afraid of? ›
Answer and Explanation: For the majority of his life, Douglass was completely fearless in his public confrontations against slavery and against rampant racism in the North. However, he did fear for his life on occasion as he was in danger of being lynched.
What did Frederick Douglass fear? ›
Fearing capture and re-enslavement, Douglass went to England and continued speaking out against slavery. He eventually raised enough money to buy his freedom and returned to America. He settled in Rochester, New York in 1847 and began to champion equality and freedom for slaves in earnest.
Why did Covey whip Douglass? ›
Douglass had converted to Christianity and tried to start a Sunday school for other slaves but was thwarted. Because he had a rebellious streak, Auld sent him to a “slave breaker” named Edward Covey to crush his spirit with the lash. Within a week, Covey had whipped Douglass savagely.
When Mr Covey tries to tie Frederick up what happens? ›
Covey tried to tie Fredrick up but Fredrick jumped up and startled Covey. As Covey was struggling to hold Fredrick he called out to another slave, "Hughes! Help me hold him!" yelled. As Hughes tried to grab Fredrick, Fredrick kicked him away startling both Hughes and Covey.
What would have happened to Frederick had Mr. Covey turned him in? ›
What would have happened to Frederick had Mr. Covey turned him in? He would have been taken to a whipping post and whipped badly. He would have been taken to a whipping post and whipped badly .
Why is Fredericks' battle with Mr. Covey the climax of the story? ›
The fight with Covey causes Douglass to regain his spirit and defiance, as well as his resolve to be free. He never receives a whipping from anyone during his remaining four years enslaved. Douglass's year with Covey ends on Christmas Day, 1833 .
