Frederick Douglass

Fredrick Douglass was an African American and a former slave in the south. He grew up in slavery and taught himself hoe to read and write. Fredrick was famous for fighting for the rights of blacks, and played a big part in abolishing slavery in the south. With his past as a slave and now as a public speaker, he exemplifies good citizenship and overcoming adversity. He was not afraid to spread his message of eliminating slavery by giving speeches. Douglass over came racism, abuse, and being treated unfairly and this is what got him to where he was.

         At the age of seven Fredrick remembers having some of his family in slavery with him. He was a slave for Thomas Auld. Thomas’s slaves never had much food, got clothes once a year and , and were weak while the had to work all day in the farms. Thomas’ wife did not think Fredrick was getting the punishments he deserved, so they sent him to a man named Edward Covey. Having put up with Covey’s cruelty for six months Fredrick decided to take a stand for him self and fight back never again did covey lay a hand on Fredrick. After Fredrick left Covey’s he went to go work for Hugh Auld, as a caulker in his shipyard Fredrick wanted to work so that he can buy his freedom and get his manumission papers that stated he was a free black man. In 1833 when Fredrick was 15 he taught himself how to read and write by using chalk to write and books to make sounds.

            Fredrick had many accomplishments such as, being A freedom fighter, he taught himself how to read and write, but the most shocking was him running away from slavery. Having been a former slave Fredrick wanted to fight for the rights and freedom of blacks. He wanted all blacks to share the same rights a s the whites. In 1833 Fredrick decided he not only wanted but needed to learn how to write and read. So he did by using chalk to write and books to make sounds. At the age of 20 Fredrick ran from slavery and headed north with his wife Anna Murray. While being in the north Fredrick noticed that whites were wealthy, had no slaves, and were nice to blacks. Fredrick decided to take a stand and make a difference for him and for the slaves that were left behind.

      Fredrick exemplifies good citizenship and over coving adversity. He was a public speaker who spread his words to help abolish slavery, so that blacks can have the same equal rights and freedom. No matter how hard his life was, Fredrick remembered the slaves, and it made him fight harder for the rights of those who have suffered. Blacks were treated like animals, so for Fredrick to do this for them was a good example of good citizen ship. Fredrick also overcame adversity and many challenges. Having been treated like an animal and being abused, while facing racism, he overcame adversity everyday of his life.

                 Never being afraid to fight for freedom and rights, Fredrick was a good citizen to his society. Wanting to see blacks free Fredrick fought for what his people needed. In the process of fighting for their rights and freedom, Fredrick overcame adversity and challenges. No matter what got in his way Fredrick over came it. Running away from slavery and later becoming a public speaker, he achieved his goal by putting his words out there, to abolish slavery. Many of us are to scared too put ourselves out there and do what is right, but overcoming barriers and challenges will help us become stronger, positive, influential members of our society.

Work cited

Ruffin, Frances E. Fredrick Douglass. Rising up from slavery. New York: Sterling, 2008

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