Frederick Douglas, Then and Now 1860 - 1960

Link to "A Plea for Free Speech in Boston" by Frederick Douglas

Video series--Race: The Power of an Illusion
http://www.newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0149

Brief summary:
Frederick Douglas, the human rights rhetorician. In this speech Frederick Douglas has all the makings of a persuasive orator. He speaks from first-hand knowledge derived from real life experiences, which appeals to his audience and commands their attention, whether they agree with him or not.

Douglas has an eloquent yet irrefutable logic in his style of writing that leaves people questioning their own beliefs, which is exactly what he wants and needs from his audience.

"It means to see the expressed idea and attitude from the other person's point of view,
to sense how it feels to him, to achieve his frame of reference in
regard to the thing he is talking about." Carl Rogers

Discussion question:
In 1860, was Frederick Douglas and leaders like him, with all their persuasive qualities, enough to get "others" to see their point of view? In 1960, why were people of color still having the same conversations regarding race and rights?

Angela's response--

Starvation, cold, abuse, separation… did not break him; he went on to be an impassioned writer, orator, and activist. His Plea for Free Speech in Boston is a poignant example of social discourse. But was he persuasive enough to undo what had already been done?

As I tried to grasp at the myriad of reasons for why Frederick Douglas had such a difficult time persuading others on the issues of slavery, race, and civil and human rights, I thought of a term used in our Aristotle reading, enthymeme. Wikipedia states--In an enthymeme, part of the argument is missing because it is assumed. I think the assumed missing piece in the argument over race lies in the myth of the term itself. Today there is evidence proving race cannot be defined by any biological standards. It is a social construct that some theorists believe was created in order to “divide and conquer.” A justification for dominance and greed, an illusion made concrete in the minds of the majority.

            In the time of slavery, the excuse of “race” told people of color that they were not human. They were considered savage and destined to be controlled by the superior, lighter race. In Frederick Douglas’ writings and speeches he had to find a way to get around the fact that this very crucial part of his argument was so assumed by the masses that it was left out or omitted from the psyche of those he was trying to persuade. His final statement in Boston, so eloquent, simple, just, and true…yet so many lost their lives, and still do, over 100 years later.

 “A man’s right to speak does not depend upon where he was born or upon his color. The simple quality of manhood is the solid basis of the right—and there let it rest forever.”(Douglas, p. 372)

When will we persuade them all?

            I’d like to add just a few thoughts on a personal note regarding my own feelings on race—my own assumptions.

            My skin is fairly “light” and if I asked anyone what they would consider my race to be they would probably say white, yet I have never identified myself as such.  My parents aren’t from white country, and to this day I cannot find white or black country on the globe. White/black was created by society for some of the reasons I have already mentioned, and many other deplorable ones which I did not.  Biologically I am half Puerto Rican so I have always chosen Hispanic on any form I have ever had to fill out. If my husband were to ask the same question people would surely say his race was black.

            Back in the 80’s when “African American” (the latest among a long line of politically correct terms) was being considered there was an article about it in the paper and I asked my boyfriend at the time, “What would you rather have people call you, black or African American?” He said, “Why can’t I just be called Duane, it’s the name my mother gave me?”

            Twenty-three years together and two beautiful children later, I am proud of how my children see themselves and the lens in which they see the rest of the world. They are not bi-racial, mixed race or mixed up. On the form they are African American and Hispanic, in life they treat others how they want to be treated no matter what their biological make-up, they are cognizant of their heritage, invest in the development of their character and most importantly, they are proud to be Zinnia and Duane Jr. (the names their mother gave them)

                        The views my husband and I have on race probably would not have been
 popular in the 1800s. The majority did not share our benign view of the differences or non-differences between people, but this is my truth, this is what I bring to the text.  
One race, human, different looking humans, yes but …still human.