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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
This is just the first volume of a three volume autobiography which paints a horrific portrait of the so-called “humane” slave states in the early 1800s.
Douglas’ eloquent and powerful narrative details brutality of slave existence, from being separated from their mothers at a young age, to rape, whippings, abuse and denial of any human rights or sense of self.
His autobiography shares various, intricate details to the nuanced experience of slavery. He gives us glimpses into the various attitudes towards him from various slave owners as well as slaves. This first volume reveals how Douglas’ determination to become educated steered his life towards his political career as an advocate for human rights and racial justice.
I don’t understand why this isn’t mandatory reading in schools. There’s nothing written in here that I couldn’t have been exposed to by senior school, and the insight was far more visceral and important to read than anything else I was given. Douglas’ struggle and conquering of his fate deserves to be celebrated and read by everyone.
Douglas’ eloquent and powerful narrative details brutality of slave existence, from being separated from their mothers at a young age, to rape, whippings, abuse and denial of any human rights or sense of self.
His autobiography shares various, intricate details to the nuanced experience of slavery. He gives us glimpses into the various attitudes towards him from various slave owners as well as slaves. This first volume reveals how Douglas’ determination to become educated steered his life towards his political career as an advocate for human rights and racial justice.
I don’t understand why this isn’t mandatory reading in schools. There’s nothing written in here that I couldn’t have been exposed to by senior school, and the insight was far more visceral and important to read than anything else I was given. Douglas’ struggle and conquering of his fate deserves to be celebrated and read by everyone.
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Important
A vivid picture into the life of a slave and the heartbreaking truth of using religion to justify truly horrific actions.
A vivid picture into the life of a slave and the heartbreaking truth of using religion to justify truly horrific actions.
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Oftentimes, I feel I can almost create a formula for the amount of dedication I will owe a work based on the year it was written. With anything earlier than 1960, I can add an extra 10% brain power required to understand the text with every previous decade. Something like that; the formula isn’t actually written out.
This book does not fall into such a category. Despite being two centuries old, Frederick Douglass’s account of his life is salient, cogent and vigorous. While of course the content made me ache at times, the writing itself carried me effortlessly through Douglass’s experiences in a way I’ve rarely seen emulated. I can imagine this work read out at an abolitionist convention, and absolutely can resonate with the tour de force it would inspire when people heard it from the lips of Frederick himself.
Coming off the haunches of Michelle Alexander’s seminal The New Jim Crow, I was further convinced of the use of racism as a tool to divide the working classes. Douglass has manifold examples of the way racism and slavery not only atrophy the integrity of the enslaved under its’ heel, but also the masters who squander their humanity to commit atrocity.
One of the most clear in my mind is his description of the working class white dockworkers fearing for their livelihoods as more black workers entered their vocation. Instead of banding together to demand good working conditions for all, the lower class whites were cruel and protested to remove African American dockworkers in order to save their own jobs. These exacerbated tensions came from a perceived scarcity of work and wealth; a belief that works well with the desires of the wealthy and landed elite. It makes one contemplate: how often have similar scenarios played out, and how often does it continue to? And how can we begin to root out the lies that divide us and continue to impoverish the marginalized? Douglass doesn’t provide answers, but he does provide evidence, strength, and clarity. And across the sea of years and memory I am very grateful for that.
This book does not fall into such a category. Despite being two centuries old, Frederick Douglass’s account of his life is salient, cogent and vigorous. While of course the content made me ache at times, the writing itself carried me effortlessly through Douglass’s experiences in a way I’ve rarely seen emulated. I can imagine this work read out at an abolitionist convention, and absolutely can resonate with the tour de force it would inspire when people heard it from the lips of Frederick himself.
Coming off the haunches of Michelle Alexander’s seminal The New Jim Crow, I was further convinced of the use of racism as a tool to divide the working classes. Douglass has manifold examples of the way racism and slavery not only atrophy the integrity of the enslaved under its’ heel, but also the masters who squander their humanity to commit atrocity.
One of the most clear in my mind is his description of the working class white dockworkers fearing for their livelihoods as more black workers entered their vocation. Instead of banding together to demand good working conditions for all, the lower class whites were cruel and protested to remove African American dockworkers in order to save their own jobs. These exacerbated tensions came from a perceived scarcity of work and wealth; a belief that works well with the desires of the wealthy and landed elite. It makes one contemplate: how often have similar scenarios played out, and how often does it continue to? And how can we begin to root out the lies that divide us and continue to impoverish the marginalized? Douglass doesn’t provide answers, but he does provide evidence, strength, and clarity. And across the sea of years and memory I am very grateful for that.
I remember reading parts of this book in English class senior year of high school. At the time it didn't have much effect on me since my immature mind couldn't really grasp the severity of the situations Frederick Douglass had lived and survived in.
The gut-wrenching details that Douglass goes into when he explains how life was as a slave are passages that will haunt you and stay with you. The whippings, the mental torture of being stripped of your family and friends, even losing your own name and identity are things I won't ever forget. There are many heart-breaking moments that truly show the horrendous conditions of life as a slave. The part where he remembers hearing slaves singing their sorrowful and mournful songs while working in the fields and how it brought tears to his eyes stayed with me.
Despite all that was standing against him, Mr. Douglass was able to learn to read and write. He overheard his master once say that educating slaves was dangerous because it gives them the power to THINK and that was his moment of awakening. Education was the way out of the chains of slavery and into the welcoming hands of freedom. It was a long and arduous road to reach that freedom and he eventually makes it there.
Frederick mastered reading and writing and became one of history's greatest orator against slavery. The book is beautifully written and I think it should be required reading in schools everywhere. I found it to be an inspirational and touching narrative and I highly recommend it to everyone.
"Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave."
The gut-wrenching details that Douglass goes into when he explains how life was as a slave are passages that will haunt you and stay with you. The whippings, the mental torture of being stripped of your family and friends, even losing your own name and identity are things I won't ever forget. There are many heart-breaking moments that truly show the horrendous conditions of life as a slave. The part where he remembers hearing slaves singing their sorrowful and mournful songs while working in the fields and how it brought tears to his eyes stayed with me.
Despite all that was standing against him, Mr. Douglass was able to learn to read and write. He overheard his master once say that educating slaves was dangerous because it gives them the power to THINK and that was his moment of awakening. Education was the way out of the chains of slavery and into the welcoming hands of freedom. It was a long and arduous road to reach that freedom and he eventually makes it there.
Frederick mastered reading and writing and became one of history's greatest orator against slavery. The book is beautifully written and I think it should be required reading in schools everywhere. I found it to be an inspirational and touching narrative and I highly recommend it to everyone.
"Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave."
inspiring
medium-paced
A classic liberation tale with a heavy propagandist message but ultimately very worth reading.
This is one of the best books I've ever read, and I feel privileged to have gotten to experience it.
I cried so much while reading this book, but it was 100% worth it. The tear stains will probably grow when I reread, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The descriptions of the absolute terrors that he and others had to go through are absolutely heartbreaking, and I think that every word should be read by everyone who has access to read this. IT. IS. IMPORTANT.
I’ll definitely be reading this again.
I’ll definitely be reading this again.