Sabrina Baker
Mrs. Baker
American Literature 2130
19 October 2012
Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was one of many gifted African Americans. He was born a slave, a spiritually guided man and speaker. He was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County, Maryland. His mother was a slave and his father was rumored to be their white slave master. Slaves were not allowed to learn how to read or write but, with the motivation and encouragement by of his master’s wife, Frederick learned to read. While he was still learning how to secretly read and write, other slaves wanted to do the same. He started teaching slaves on the plantation how to read the New Testament at weekly Sunday school meetings. The meetings went unnoticed until Frederick’s master discovered that his slaves were being educated and broke them up. Frederick was willing to help other slaves learn to read, but he insisted that his teachings be passed on to other slaves.
Frederick Douglass was spiritually guided. He and slave owners had different views on how religion was interpreted. Slave owners believed that religion was a humane creation of God and if slaves were faithful and obedient they would be rewarded in heaven. Frederick believed that religion represented equality for everyone before God and that people would be delivered from bondage in this life. Religion also taught him how to be a better person. Religion showed him how to value himself, respect others and work to achieve his freedom; which also inspired his work and guided his actions. Frederick Douglass was guided by religion for it gave him a new way of thinking and it opened his eyes to becoming a better person.
Frederick Douglass was a profound speaker and lecturer who spoke with passion.