Frederick Douglass reminds us of continued quest for education

July 6, 11:10 PMCleveland Non-Fiction Books ExaminerCaroline Koepke

In his narrative, Frederick Douglass passionately tells his autobiography from his birth to his escape from slavery in 1838. Starting from when he was born to an African mother and from what he was advised, a white slave owner, Douglass first lived with his maternal grandmother and details his early years as a slave. Then at the age of twelve, Frederick Douglass was given to Hugh and Sophie Auld. Sophie Auld started teaching him to read and write unaware that it was forbidden under the law. She later stopped upon the orders of her husband, but Douglass was determined to continue his quest for knowledge. He secretly learned to read and write from his white neighbors and read any newspapers and political literature that he could find. Later, he taught his fellow African Americans the lessons that he had learned. By the time of his escape from slavery in 1838 and beyond, it becomes apparent to the reader that he was destined to be a leader not only among African Americans but also an activist for women and Native Americans. In his Appendix, Douglass writes, “I love the pure, peaceable and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land” (Douglass 120).

Upon finishing this narrative, the reader comes away with not only an appreciation of Frederick Douglass’s tireless dedication to obtaining equal rights for all people, he/she also values the results of his work more. Though most would argue that the US educational system is not perfect and still needs many improvements, in most cases, anyone who wants an education now may obtain an education. No one is forbidden from obtaining one under penalty of death. All this is in much part due to the philosophy and work of Frederick Douglass. His narrative shows the origin of that work and foreshadows the activist and orator that he would later become.

Frederick Douglass.  Photograph used from www.google.com and  home.millsaps.edu/mcelvrs/women_2000.html.

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