Douglass’ life
From the lectures and the lectures, it is evident that Douglass was struggling to free himself from slavery both physically and mentally. Douglass has decided to educate himself and free himself from slavery, which was rampant in the USA. Douglass resolves to retaliate towards Covey’s inhumanity. Covey was an oppressor, and Douglass was always opposed to him. Slaves were subjected to severe punishments, such as being beaten and then shot dead when they defied the orders of the plantation overseers (Douglas, 1845). Douglass’ life is not as harsh as those of the other slaves because he did not serve fields; instead, he served as a household slave. Despite this fact, Douglass initiated various resolutions to resolve the slave menace in America. He begins to educate his fellow slaves about slavery, an act that immensely contributed to the end of slavery in America.
From the lectures and the materials provided, certain things are evident. Douglas shows how the masters were slaveholders were able to perpetuate their slaves by keeping them ignorant, and that is why he started educating them about slavery, to enlighten their minds. He proves that knowledge is the path to freedom, and that is why he educates them about their rights (Glover, 2020). He teaches them that their human nature and dignity should be respected. He tries to prove that slaves should be participating in civil society and not serving as workers for their white masters. Slaveholders had succeeded in keeping their slaves ignorant of their rights, and through this, they were able to exploit them. Slaveholders had succeeded in robing the blacks of their individual identity. Nevertheless, Douglass used the knowledge he had acquired to save the slaves from oppression and suffering.
References
Douglas, F. (1845). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American slave, written by himself. Nina Baym, Norton anthology of American literature. PUBLISHED AT THE ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, NO. 25 CORNHILL
Glover, M. A. (2020). Education Is Liberation: The Power of Alternative Education Spaces. Oxford Publishers., CUNY L. Rev., 23, 100.