A+Difference+Maker

A Difference Maker

In the 1800’s there was a growing conflict in the United States, the conflict of slavery. This conflict was so great it divided our great nation in to two and a war was born. In the middle of this terrible time, a man was born, and from that man a book was born. The man was Frederick Douglass, and that book was the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. This autobiography was the telling of a man who started off as your average slave but ended up a difference maker. Frederick Douglas became the difference maker he was due to great and bad events that affected him in the best of ways, so he could make a difference.

Frederick Douglass was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, a slave in Talbot county Maryland. Frederick Douglass’ actually birth date is unknown, which was common for most slaves. Frederick was separated from his mother (Harriet Bailey) at birth. They Rarely even saw each other after that. Douglass’ mother dies later when he seven years old. Douglass not seeing his mother took a toll on him. Douglass says in his book “Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of [my mother’s] death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger” (Douglass 21). Frederick was raised by his Grandmother Betty Bailey because he had no knowledge of who his real father was. It was believed his father was a white man, possibly his owner at the time of his birth. Not to long after his mother had passed Douglass was separated from his grandmother, the last real family he knew. after this occurred he was sent away to various places to work like any ordinary slave. Although his life started out like any other slaves, it wouldn’t end that way.

The first event that began to change Frederick Douglass from an ordinary slave to a respected member of American history was the interest and effort he out fourth when learning the alphabet. When Frederick Douglass was under possession of Hugh Auld, one of those great events occurred. Sophia Auld, Hugh Auld’s wife began to teach Frederick Douglass the letters of the alphabet. This was highly illegal for an African American to be taught such things. Nobody thought that any slave should have known such things. Mr. Hugh Auld eventually found out about the secretive teachings and he was very upset. Mr. Auld said that if a slave learned to read he would be dissatisfied with his condition and would pursue freedom. That is exactly what happened. After Douglass learned the alphabet he learned to read, and he used this newfound talent. Douglass read many things, and the more he read the more he knew that slavery was not fair. This talent changed Douglass for the best. Frederick Douglass wanted freedom.

The next event that sparked Frederick Douglass’ uniqueness was his rebellion to Edward Covey. Edward Covey was a Poor slave owner with a bad temper. When Douglass arrived at Covey’s January 1833, he had never worked in the field before. Frederick’s first task was to guide a group of untamed oxen. Under no fault of his own, Douglas nearly lost his life and he was punished. Punishment continued regularly. Frederick was beaten unfairly nearly once a week for six months. This was not only damaging Douglass physically, but also mentally. As Douglass said, "I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!" (Douglass 105). The transformation was made, and no one would know better then Covey. In August 1833, Covey wanted to beat Douglass yet another time, but that day it did not happen. Douglass grabbed the man by the throat and they fought. The two opposite fighters fought for two hours. In the end Douglass did the beating to Covey. After that day, Covey never tried to beat Douglass again. Another change was made for the better.

These changes were tremendous components to Douglass’ life from escaping slavery himself, and by helping America escape slavery all together. Douglass’ contributions to America were tremendous not as a former slave, but for any human being. Douglass became highly respected speaker by many. One of Douglass’ famous speeches is the speech given at Abraham Lincoln’s funeral service. Frederick Douglass was also an important member in pursuing women’s rights, being a strong contributor to the Seneca Falls Convention, the birthplace for women’s rights. Douglass also put out his own newspaper called Frederick Douglass’ Paper. But most importantly Frederick Douglass became a huge part of ending slavery in America. Frederick Douglass was unbelievable at all the things he did in his life especially when you think about where he came from. No slave ever made his mark like frederick douglass has. Many people considered him one of the best speekers of his time and on of the biggest forces in ending slavery. Frederick Douglass fought all life long, through the great and bad times, to make a difference in America. Frederick Douglas made the difference.

Work Cited Page

Frederick, Douglass. //Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass//. 1st. 1st. New York, New York: Signet Classics, 1845. 144. Print.

Thomas, Sandra. "Frederick Douglass." //www.history.com//. 2009. Web. 18 Dec 2009. .

Jane, Ramirez. "A Short Biography of Frederick Douglass ." //Frederick Douglass//. 2004. Fremarjo Enterprises, Web. 18 Dec 2009. .