I need a 1000 to 1500 word essay written in MLA style of Fredrick Douglas in the 3rd person. You may
even imagine that you are a person in your prose piece. Write your observations of the characters in the
prose piece. Figure out what makes them tick or what you observe about the character�s actions,
discussions, or circumstances. This option, you may write in the first person. Your project should be 1,000
to 1,500 words in length with proper use of quotations and citations. You need to make sure your
reader/grader knows exactly where you are in the prose at all times
Fredrick Douglas
Memories for many great people are based on the legacy they had on the society.
Fredrick Douglas is one of the role models to many people. The author digs deeper into the life
and the contribution of Fredrick Douglas.
Douglas has captured the attention of many people for the immense impact he left during
the days he lived. He was born as Fredrick Augustus Washington Bailey in 1818, in Maryland,
United States and passed on in 1895 in Washington D.C. He was an African-America that wore
many hats including social reformist, writer, orator, as well as a statesman. Douglas’ parent was
Harriet Bailey (Reginald 7). He married Anna Murray in 1838 to 1882 and later Helen Pitts
Douglass in 1884 until his death. He had five children, Lewis Henry, Annie Douglas, Charles
Remond, Frederick Douglass Jr., and Rosetta Douglass.
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Douglas is an icon remembered for his numerous contributions in America. Being born
by a mother who was a slave and managing to escape to become an abolitionist is a clear
indication of a man who knew precisely what he wanted in his life and for his fellow colleagues
that lived under bondage (David para. 4). His contribution in civil rights movement is beyond
reproach and this tickles many who called him the father of civil rights movement. Douglas rose
through brilliance, determination, and eloquence to transform the nation of America. As an
abolitionist, women rights and human rights activist, journalist, publisher, author, and social
reformer, he gave his best to ensure that freedom came into reality. He was committed to
achieving justice for all people particularly, women, African Americans, and minority groups.
According to Douglas, America was to be an inclusive nation united by its diversity and
discrimination-free. Being a staunch believer in equality of all people, regardless of their color,
race, gender, place of origin, he is quoted to famously assert, “I would unite with anybody to do
right and with nobody to do wrong” (Reginald 19). This statement portrayed Douglass as an
individual that cherished diversity and, therefore, nothing was to make people to discriminate
one another based on the physical differences they had.
Apart from fighting and defending the rights of the minority and African Americans,
Douglass played various roles in the operations of the government. As one of the most famous
political leaders of the 19 th century, he was devoted in the many roles he did (Digital History
para. 3). He served as President Abraham Lincoln’s advisor. The president saw him as a
meritorious man of the century. In his late years, he as well worked in many offices such as US
Marshal of the District of Columbia and recorder of deeds in the district of Colombia after
President James Garfield appointed him. He was again appointed by President Benjamin
Harrison in 1889 to become the US minister to Haiti. Later on, President Grant appointed him to
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provide his services as a secretary of Santo Domingo commission (Digital History para. 5).
These appointments demonstrated the level of his ability and capability to provide leadership
despite the negative attitude leveled against the African Americans. Being able to surpass the
discrimination and the negative attitude indicated that indeed African Americans had the
capability and the skills to provide good leadership.
Douglass also contributed to, and was a compelling force in agitating for the rights of the
slaves through the anti-slavery movement. Slavery was very rampant and most of the people that
were involved in this were the African Americans (David para. 7). Being a person of high moral
authority, he was able to develop his public speaking skills that enabled him to champion the
rights of the slaves. Working with many abolitionists as well as other people with like minds
such as Abby Kelley and Wendell Phillips enabled them to bring equality in the society. When
the civil war was coming to a close, Douglass intensified his campaign on ensuring full
integration of African Americans into economic and political life of the U.S.
Douglass is also remembered for his prowess in writing on various issues concerning the
mistreatments of the African Americans. He came up with various publications such as North
Star, an abolitionist newspaper that voiced the opinions of the African Americans. Other
periodicals named Douglass Monthly were also related that recruited black union soldiers. He,
therefore, was steadfast in championing the interests of those oppressed during the reconstruction
era. Most of his years were dedicated to opposing any lynching and supporting the rights of
women. Women suffrage movement at the period became evident through the antislavery
crusade, where Douglass was one of the pioneers (Digital History para. 6). His support for
women was also evidenced through his participation in the first feminist convention that was
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organized or held at the Seneca Falls in 1848. During the meeting, he played a critical role in the
passage of the support of the female suffrage.
Douglas was a role model to many people especially the African Americans. His
relentless pursuit of equality through his speeches and literary works is enough evidence and
reason for his popularities. He is known for many literary works, including, Narrative of the life
of Frederick Douglass, an American slave book that was published in the year 1845. He also
wrote two autobiographies, the life and times of Frederick Douglass and my bondage, published
in 1881 and my freedom, published in 1855 (Reginald 12). These autobiographies capture his
struggles and the role he played in ensuring abolition of slavery. Through these autobiographies
and other writings, they inspire and transform people to embrace one another. Therefore, there is
no doubt on the role Douglass played to kick out racism and slavery. He also provided an
indomitable voice to hopeless people, embraced antislavery politics and preached his own ideals.
Douglas’ legacy will not die any soon because of the role he played in U.S. He was an
individual that spearheaded the fight for equality and one nation. Coming from a background of
slavery, he managed to overcome this and rose to the top to defend the rights of the oppressed.
He championed the civil rights movement that bore fruit when the African Americans were
treated as equals. Their freedoms became evident through his contribution. He is one individual
that never lost a sense of attachment to the south as he loved his personal freedom. Douglass has
become a symbol of his age and a unique American voice of social justice and humanism. The
life he lived and the energy he invested in speaking with bravery and courage on the problems of
black America is something that we are all delighted in. Even though Douglass died in 1895, he
is still an important person to the entire world because of his d ideologies to eradicate racism and
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segregation. Realizing that we are all human is something important that we need to embrace to
take this nation forward. Kudos Frederick Douglass, the vision you had is here with us.
Works Cited
David, Blight. “Frederick Douglass, 1818-1895”. Web. 27 July 2014.
Digital History. Who was Frederick Douglass? Web. 27 July 2014
Reginald, Davis. Frederick Douglass: A Precursor of Liberation Theology. Voices of the
African diaspora. Mercer University Press, (2005). Print.
