Who was Fredrick Douglass?

Fredrick Douglass is a slave activist and one of the most well-known slaves in history. Not only was he an activist but after leaving his life of slavery, he traveled the world talking about his personal stories and experiences. He promoted racial equality and helped those open their eyes to the problems that were being faced worldwide. Even though his father was white, he later was brought into slavery himself because his mother was an African American slave herself. By the age of seven he had already experienced a numerous amount of brutal whippings and was continuously starved. Once he turned eight he was sent to live on a boat with a man named Hugh Auld. This is where he had first learned to read and write. After spending eight years in Baltimore, he was sent back to his country. This is where he was hired on a farm, continued experiencing horrible beatings, and was kept away from food and water. After failing a planned escape, he was jailed and in his mind he knew he had to get away fast. After much time, he finally fled on September 3rd 1838. He finally married a young women in New York whom he had met in Baltimore in his earlier years. They both settled down in Massachusetts together, which is where he went by his new name Fredrick Douglass. From there on out Douglass attended abolitionist meeting and continued his readings. Also, he started to join many organizations around his area and even became part of a black church. After hearing William Lloyd Garrison speak about anti-slavery he was completely taken a back and knew what he then wanted to do for the rest of his life. In the year 1841, was when Douglass finally gave his first speech at an annual convention about anti-slavery in Massachusetts. Fredrick ended up publishing his own autobiography and gave his speeches to those all around the world. Garrison remained being his mentor , but in the end their difference of views caused them to separate. All Douglass wanted to do was help those whom were treated poorly because of there skin color. He even debated with president Lincoln and recruited African Americans into the Union Army. After the war came to a close, he added on women's rights to his debate as well.

Now you may be sitting there wondering why I am giving you a blast from the past. Even though it may have been along time ago, this type of slavery still goes on all around our world today. It is important to remember how far we have come in the United States and I think by talking about the past it helps one see clearly that our world isn't as bad as we believe it is. We may have a lot to do still when it comes to slavery. However, we have come a long way from where we used to be. I think we should applaud those whom have made these differences because our world would probably still be the place it was hundreds of years ago, if not. If Fredrick Douglass can make such an incredible impact on our world against all odds then why can't we stand up today? As Americans we have the power to make a difference and take a huge leap into the right direction to further anti-slavery. Who knows, if enough of us were to raise our voice then maybe slavery would be stopped all together. Even if we only focus on the United States, at least we are starting somewhere. Be the change you wish to see!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1539.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqX7ZIt-hL0