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Maria Cortez
Alvarez 3rd
Junior English
Frederick Douglass
An outstanding American author and a runaway slave is what he was. Some people may
describe him as inspiring, strong, and even brave. As a writer, an activist, and public speaker;
Frederick Douglass opened the eyes to many people. Showing the world how poorly slaves were
treated during the 1800s. Not only did he fight for slave rights but he also fight for basic human
rights.
Frederick Douglass fought for equality basically all his life. He was born in 1817 not
even himself was sure of the day exactly but he died in February 20, 1895. He was born into
slavery and later taken away from his mother as a child. Douglass lived with his grandmother
until the age of six where he was then forced to live and work for the Wye House Plantation.
Since slavery was around for a long time in his life this affected him a lot because it is probably
what inspired him to fight for equality. “Frederick Douglass endured 21 years of slavery before
he escaped to freedom in the North, where he became an outspoken and influential abolitionist”
(Littel 586).
One of the most popular literary pieces of Frederick that impacted American
Literature was ‘The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass’ which is an autobiography of
his experience as a slave. Describing how he managed to escape from that horrifying reality.
Douglass later then ended up working with our President at the time Abraham Lincoln and their
beliefs for African American rights. “I replied that there were three particulars which I wished to
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bring to his attention. First that colored soldiers ought to receive the same wages as those paid to
white soldiers. Second, that colored soldiers ought to receive the same protection when taken
prisoners as any other prisoner. Third, when colored soldiers performed great services they
Another literary piece he wrote was ‘My Bondage and My Freedom’. Published in 1855
that helped provide more information about his previous novel. This novel includes a letter to his
former master. “I had been treated as a pig on the plantation; I was treated as a child now”
(Douglass, 141). Douglass and his powerful novels and speeches help spurred the nation to move
against slavery.
Mr. Douglass didn’t always have good luck as it may seem. When he first started being a
public speaker people still didn’t give him support due to how blind they were. “Douglass spoke
so eloquently to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society that they hired him to lecture about his
experiences. Proslavery hecklers frequently attacked him. Hurling insults and even rotten eggs
and vegetables, but Douglass continued, undeterred.” (Littel 586). That was the first speech that
After his autobiography was published he rose to international fame. Frederick helped the
force of the anti-slavery movement, women rights, and minority groups. Douglass was a big
inspiration because he achieved justice for all Americans and their rights. I chose Frederick
Douglass because he accomplished so much even though he was self-taught and went against all
the rules. The world would have not been the better place it is today without his help. Thank you
Frederick Douglass.
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Works Cited
Doc.south.unc.edu
Mrlincolnandfreedom.org