Frederick Douglass - Success and Leadership
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)
African American abolitionist (i.e. a fighter for the abolition of slavery) - pictured right in 1879.
An escaped slave, his freedom was bought by English supporters.
For more detail
see...
The
March on Washington in the History Highlights
section.
Why was he a great leader and successful?
1. Purpose and compassion
Douglass (pictured right in 1856) wanted to free blacks from slavery, because of:
a) empathy and understanding
He could understand slaves' indignity and misery (having been a
slave himself - English supporters bought his freedom).
“I hear the mournful wail of millions”, he said in a 1852 speech.
b) equal rights He argued that slaves were human beings with the
same rights as everybody else, given to them by the American Constitution (i.e. life and
liberty and the pursuit of happiness).
“The white man’s happiness cannot be purchased by the black man’s misery”, he said.
2. Courage
Despite violent opposition, Douglass courageously stood up for his principles.
When he gave his first public speech in 1838, his legs were shaking, but he managed to conquer his nerves!
“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to
be false, and incur my own abhorrence”, he said.
3. Morality
He believed that any country must be “honest, truthful and virtuous”.
As a Christian, he learned the principles of love, honour, integrity and equality for everyone,
whatever their colour or sex.
4. Positive action
His rallying call was to “agitate, agitate, agitate” for social change.
He never stopped campaigning for the:
- civil rights of African Americans.
He believed that action was more powerful than prayer. If you are drowning, he advised,
pray with your legs!
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress”, he said.
5. Lifelong learning
Douglass constantly learned from:
a) his love of reading
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”, he said.
b) other people
(particularly another abolitionist, William
Lloyd Garrison, pictured right)
6. Determination
He was determined to free himself and all African Americans from slavery, having overcome the handicap of:
- the death of his mother when he was seven.
7. Support
He had a loving wife, Anna (pictured right), and was devastated by her death in 1882.
But he recovered and happily re-married in 1884.
8. Great communicator
He was an inspirational speaker.
Abraham Lincoln’s (pictured right) widow,
Mary (pictured right below), gave him his favourite walking stick for Douglass’s great speech
in tribute to the recently assassinated president.
9. Hard work
He believed that hard work is the most important requirement for
success.
Key quotes on
society
The white man’s happiness cannot be purchased by the black man’s misery.
I hear the mournful wail of millions.
Key quote on work and
leisure
Without money, there’s no leisure, without leisure no thought, without thought no progress.”
Key quote on
change
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Key quote on
reading
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
Key quote on God and
religion
One and God make a majority.
I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs (talking about his freedom from
slavery)
Key quote on
success
I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false,
and incur my own abhorrence.
Key quote on
America
The destiny of the coloured American…is the destiny of America.
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