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Frederick Douglass, The struggle against slavery

The struggle against slavery is one that will forever be entrenched amongst the significant movements in the history of the United States of America. One of the key figures in this struggle against slavery was Frederick Douglass. Douglass’ found himself born into slavery and his reaction, like most of those before him, was one of rebellion. The difference, in the case of Douglass, was that his rebellion was an active one, and it spanned his whole lifetime, long after the end of slavery in 1862. Frederick Douglass’ story aptly captures the story of slavery and highlights the difficulties slaves encountered in their quest for freedom as well as the prevailing racism conditions that served to perpetuate the menace. In addition, the story also highlights the main motivations and reasons behind the drive for the maintenance of slavery in the south years after it the slave trade had been abolished in other parts of the world, while at the same time highlighting the reasons why slavery was still able to thrive long after the end of the international slave trade.

Douglass narrates his story through which he highlights the predicament most slaves found themselves in. Not only were they overworked, but they did so under very poor conditions. The living situation they were accorded in terms of bedding and shelter, as well as clothing were non-existent, with those who broke any rules being punished severely, at times even fatally. Douglass himself does not really work in the plantation as he is a child and therefore does not really bear the brunt of this mistreatment, the fact that he is sold to a more liberal household; the Auld’s, serves to provide a stark contrast that depicts the suffering of plantation slaves in an even darker light. Through learning to read, Douglass becomes more and more aware of the evils of slavery as well as of the existence of a law abolishing slavery, a discovery that motivates his escape to the North. His return to serve under Auld, and consequently Covey, highlights the exact mentality of most slaves at the time, as Douglass loses his interest in reading as well as in the concept of freedom, as he is constantly tired from the injuries he receives as well as all the work he has to do. He however rebels and thereafter is rented to Freeland, who after discovering of his intention to escape sends him back to Baltimore. These are just but a few of the instances described by Douglass in his book, that highlight his rebellion towards slavery, perhaps epitomized not by his escape attempts but by his 2 hour fight with Covey.

This incident in particular is quite significant if looked at in the context of the struggle against slavery, as it indicated that with the right mentality, it was possible for slaves to achieve their much sought after freedom. The story of his encounters with Covey also highlights the manner through which the institution of slavery slowly but inevitably breaks down any resolve that the slaves might have thus allowing the unfair practice of slavery to continue to thrive, while reducing any chances that slaves might rebel. These narrations by Douglass of his encounters and initial escape highlight the importance of education to the struggle for the end of slavery, as a number of slaves were not even aware of the existence of an act abolishing slavery in the North, not to mention of the existence of free blacks.

The story of his final escape to New York, denoted the importance of finances in the struggle for freedom, as only after earning his own income, is he able to emancipate himself from the clutches of Hugh Auld, and escape to New York. The experiences of Douglass during his time in Baltimore, also highlight some of the underlying reasons for the continued practice of slavery in the United States despite the existence of laws against slavery. These experiences also highlight the strained nature of relations between whites and blacks at the time, a situation that also seems to affect free blacks, who even though free, are not fully free, as the wages they earn are not at par with their white colleagues. In fact, through Douglass’ account of events, it is deductible that part of the reason for the resistance against the struggle for freedom for African Americans, was the fear that allowing blacks to be free and to be able to tend to jobs, would significantly reduce the employment opportunities available to whites.

Frederick Douglass’ rebellion stories formed a significant part of his campaigns against slavery, as using his impeccable oratory and writing skills, he was able to motivate other slaves to rise above their situation, thus encouraging the struggle for freedom as well as leading to the emancipation of a number of slaves. Not only were his stories motivating for other slaves, but he was also able to influence authorities, in a way contributing significantly to the complete abolition of slavery in the United States.