Frederick Douglass did not know the day of his birth. Born a slave, the institution’s humanity-denying treatment deprived him of that knowledge. Douglass did believe he could trace his birth month to February 1818 and chose to observe it on the 14th. In large part because of Douglass, we celebrate…
rederick Douglass did not know the day of his birth. Born a slave, the institution’s humanity-denying treatment deprived him of that knowledge. Douglass did believe he could trace his birth month to February 1818 and chose to observe it on the 14th. In large part because of Douglass, we celebrate February asDouglass himself was an impressive man. He escaped from bondage to join the abolitionist movement.
We suffer much confusion on this front. Some see our founding as evil, steeped in racism and in love with slavery. At first, Douglass agreed with this view, aligning with William Lloyd Garrison, the abolitionist who called thean “agreement with Hell.” But in 1851, Douglass publicly broke with him on the question of our country’s principles. The next year, in his famous speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Douglass called the Constitution a “glorious liberty document.
Second, Douglass believed we could live together across lines of race. This possibility seems questioned today. Some question it because of white racism, perceived and real. Others question it because of supposed inherent differences, consistent with race, that accustom some to self-government and not others.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'A great dog to be around': K-9 community remembering fallen Jefferson County police dogA Jefferson County police dog is being called a hero. Deputies say K-9 Graffit was shot and killed by a suspect at the Colorado School of Mines Monday morning.
Read more »
Daywatch: Remembering those lost in the NIU shootingGood morning, Chicago. Here are some top stories to start your day: - 3 people fatally shot, 5 hurt at Michigan State University - Remembering those lost in the NIU shooting - What’s new at White Sox camp?
Read more »
Remembering Tenacious Anarchist Organizer Jen AngelWe mourn the passing of Jen Angel, a tenacious anarchist organizer whose efforts spanned the better part of four decades. Below, we’ll review some of Jen’s many contributions over the years and share some memories from those who love her.
Read more »
Barney, the big, purple North Texas-born dinosaur, is back from extinctionBarney, the “dinosaur from our imagination,” is bouncing back from extinction. Mattel announced Monday its plans to relaunch Barney, the purple-and-green...
Read more »
On this day in history, Feb. 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln is born in KentuckyOn this day in history, Feb. 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln — America's 16th president — was born in Kentucky. He spent his childhood in the wilderness of 19th-century Indiana before becoming a politician.
Read more »
Critics Blast Bill to Ban Certain Foreign-Born Citizens from Land Buys: 'Slippery Slope'Senate Bill 147 is one of this legislative session's most controversial bills, with critics alleging that it's discriminatory against Asian Americans.
Read more »