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Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass
Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass | Frederick Douglass
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an 1845 memoir and treatise on abolition written by famous orator and former slave Frederick Douglass. It is generally held to be the most famous of a number of narratives written by former slaves during the same period. In factual detail, the text describes the events of his life and is considered to be one of the most influential pieces of literature to fuel the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century in the United States.
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review
Hamlet
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Pickpick

A gripping book, understated & potent, this has none of the overwrought prose typical of antebellum American non-fiction. The bravery of F.D. & all those who suffered under slavery‘s grip astonishes me. He wrote of those planning escape, “We did more than Patrick Henry, when he resolved on liberty or death.” He‘s right. F.D. trenchantly noted of a once-kindly white woman turned cruel, “Slavery proved as injurious to her as to me.” Read his truths.

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JohnLAndBenji
Pickpick

A marvelous book of literature that gives slavery the notoriety it deserves by telling what he had experienced and witnessed. The epidemic of treachery by he hands of white people is a giant scar on the skin of our nation. It made the lives of millions a painful hell. We read this in High school, and it should be required reading.

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Nute
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Pickpick

#NonFiction2022 Bingo Board: Box - I‘m a Dream:

Freedom for the slave must have seemed the elusive dream. To charter your own course across the hills & valleys of any chosen landscape, to walk unshackled, to talk unhindered, to think out loud & entertain the musings of a carefree created life, to fear not another man‘s control, anger, cruelty and whims must have felt a thing unattainable, a slippery reality beyond reach of brown-hued hands.👇🏽

Nute A dangerous consideration of the ideas of basic birthrights and civilized occupation of lands that claimed a deferential and civil society.

Yet freedom is first nature and strived for in the bleakest of circumstances. To know that someone has obtained that unequivocal thing and now stands tall and brave to demand it for others…well, that entity, that person must become the dream,👇🏽
2y
Nute the hoped for thing, a living, breathing vision of the dream in all its glory, shining like a beacon, signifying that a dream of such unimaginable magnitude can come true.👇🏽 2y
Nute This narrative shows Frederick Douglass as a thinker, a questioner, an observer, a seeker of fair acts & liberties, prosperity & freedom for all peoples. Not a practiced elocutionist. An escaped slave. Just a man, a courageous black man who contemplated life & living…who proffered effective speech of these human privileges without fear of reprisals…compelling a people to hope for the attainment of “the dream.”
Highly Recommended!

1 Box ✔️of 25.
(edited) 2y
See All 23 Comments
PurpleyPumpkin Excellent review! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this one. Definitely on my tbr. 📚 2y
kspenmoll Fabulous review! I read this a few years ago- his life, endurance… no words. You get at the heart of a book so well- love reading your reviews. 2y
Bookzombie Fantastic review! Like @kspenmoll I love reading your reviews. 2y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 2y
Deblovestoread Kimberley, wonderful review. I feel your words. Thank you. 2y
ncsufoxes Great review. I read this back in college & have it sitting on a shelf. I need to revisit it. Now that I‘m older & I am looking at our country‘s history with a different lens & understanding, I‘m think I‘ll have a greater appreciation of his life and writing. 2y
Lesliereads Thank you for posting this, Kimberley! Can you believe this is a book I have had for forever, yet, have never read from cover to cover??!! This year! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Wonderful review! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa And I love how you picked out the dream of this one, so poignant in his own words. 2y
Centique Beautiful review, I need to read this! I was so moved and educated by 2y
Nute @PurpleyPumpkin Thank you, Kimberly!💕 This book waited a long time on my bookshelves to be read by me. I‘m glad that I can now say that I have done so. It‘s an honest revelation of a not too distant past that remains a lesson for a better pathway to the future. 2y
Nute @kspenmoll Thank you, Katherine!💕 In many places of this book, I felt as you stated while reading it. His honest telling of a horrific period in history left me without words to benefit my own emotions. These types of ‘exposures‘ to the past are often bitter, but a necessary step in our learning process as we strive to understand and then better ourselves as people sharing the common goals of a harmonious togetherness and earthly survival. 2y
Nute @Bookzombie Thank you, Margie!💕 It took me awhile to feel brave enough to converse on a social media platform. Litsy is the only place that I do so. I feel comfortable here because of the friendly reception, inclusiveness and a feeling that can only be described as a type of warmth. I am so happy that we have ‘met‘ in this community. 2y
Nute @TrishB Thank you, Trish!💕 2y
Bookzombie I‘m so happy we ‘met‘ as well, Kimberly! 💗 2y
Nute @Kdgordon88 Thank you, Debra!💕 2y
Nute @ncsufoxes Thank you, Jessica! I agree that we should look at history at various points in our own timelines, because our perspectives will be different. Maybe with more maturity, awareness of the ‘real‘ world and a greater capacity to understand the lowdown, there is a deeper understanding, empathy and appreciation for the terrors that some folks experienced, died because of, or survived. There are so many stories to hear/read. So much to learn. 2y
Nute @Lesliereads There are so many books to read, Leslie. Just like on your list of unread books, this book was waiting many years on my bookshelves for the opportunity to be read. I often wonder about the great books that I will never get around to in my lifetime. I saw your post today with a wonderful stack of Alice Walker‘s books. One of them I had actually never heard of. So many books to read, my Dear Friend!💕 I feel like I need to try harder! 2y
Nute @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you, Melissa!💕 I am enjoying figuring out which books might work for the Non-Fiction Bingo Challenge 2022. The prompts are intriguing! 2y
Nute @Centique Thank you, Paula!💕 The voices and the stories from the saddest and most horrific times in history haunt us all the days of our lives. That‘s a good thing so that we never forget the place, the circumstance, the life and the lingering impact. 2y
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Nute
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Frederick Douglass has made many quote-worthy statements and I often come across the well-known one regarding literacy, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” I can‘t imagine a life without the joy of knowing how to read and the happiness of pursuing literature. However, today, my attention was drawn by this quote, “My hopes were never brighter than now.”👇🏽

Nute Because he experienced a harsh reality and witnessed unchecked brutality, I wanted to know precisely when in his life hope surfaced, peace felt tangible, harmony obtainable and freedom possible and then long lasting.
I‘m reading his narrative.
2y
SRWCF Great photo layout! 2y
Nute @SRWCF Thank you, Shelley!💕 2y
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review
Patchshank
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Pickpick

This needs to be required reading in schools for so many reasons. And yet it never will be because of those same reasons. Truth is just too damn inconvenient for some people.

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TimSpalding
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I read this before 20, but a reread with my son finds it not only excellent, but one of the best things I‘ve read in years. Douglass is an absolute master of his craft. My son was so caught he listened to it twice.

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Creme_de_la_them
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Pickpick

Although much shorter than I expected (half the book was preface/intro/annotation), a good read. Douglass‘ narrative follows his childhood and adolescence in slavery, along with his growing determination to be free or die in the effort. It‘s an honest and direct criticism, not only of slavery, but of the bastardized Christianity that upheld the institution. I have no doubt he‘d feel the same about modern Christianity that upholds racism and hate.

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Eggs
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Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895) was a Republican social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. Written as a memoir by Douglass in 1845 #12yearsaslave #remembernovember @Klou

Freespirit I‘m stacking this as I feel I need to learn more about the history of the US. It might help me understand the current situation👍🏼 3y
Eggs @Freespirit 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
Klou Perfect! 3y
Eggs @Klou 🤗🤗 3y
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rebbyj
Pickpick

Finally read it. For Jim Brewster's church book club. Felt more passion than I expected. Important work.

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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

Douglass‘s strength and resilience are evident in his recounting of the brutality he was subjected to as a slave.

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sarahlandis
Pickpick

should be required reading

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bibliobliss
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• If you've read "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," please leave your comments below ⬇️⬇️ •

#TBR #MountTBR #AfricanAmerican #history #Americanhistory #antislavery #abolition #historicalmovements #autobiography #memoir #lifestory

Kenyazero I read it for a class on the history of American literature. It was a very interesting read. 4y
bibliobliss @Kenyazero Thanks! I'm hesitant lately to read another book in the genre after failing to stick with (edited) 4y
bibliobliss @Kenyazero But I'd like to try Narrative bc I have it available 4y
Kenyazero @Readage This one is a pretty good narrative to take a chance with, I‘d say! 4y
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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

With this one little book, our school systems could provide a clear and concise example of what it meant to be enslaved. The writing is simple yet beautiful and tells of the traumas of slavery in a stark way without the glorification of violence. I repeat, this would be the perfect way to teach pupils about slavery by a gentleman who lived it.

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Auntynanny
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Pickpick

I listened to the audiobook for this. What a fascinating story. Douglass' life seems unfathomable to me now. It's hard to even wrap my head around such cruelty.

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CafeMom
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Pickpick

First buddy read of the school year. Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass is an autobiography of a slave who escaped and lived to tell his story. Fredrick gets sent to a home in Maryland in which his new mistress teaches him to read the alphabet until she is warned by her husband not to teach the slaves. Fredrick continues his studies in secrecy and teaches himself to read and write. Douglass lives on to do great things. #1001books

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essence_dionne
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Saturday's Audiobook: Narrative of the Life of Frederi Douglass.
#FrederickDouglass #Audiobook

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Morinen
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Pickpick

#24in48 Going on 6.5 hours and four books down!

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gradcat
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EadieB Beautiful picture! I love your posts! So creative! 5y
gradcat @EadieB Thanks, Eadie...you‘re very nice to take the time out to comment on it...I really appreciate it! ♥️ 5y
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bookwrm526
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Pickpick

Thanks to the excellent (but oh so hard to watch) PBS documentary on Reconstruction, I‘ve gone down a bit of a rabbit hole in my non-fiction reading. This is part of that, and my pick for a book published before I was born for the #MMDchallenge

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Such a great historical rabbit hole! And such an informative one. 5y
bookwrm526 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I majored in history in undergrad, specializing in American history, and I‘ve realized how LITTLE we talked about this time period! It makes me sad and mad 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @bookwrm526 Yes. Everything I learn about this time is new for me, and I‘m just mad that they didn‘t really cover it in my HS history classes. 5y
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BlueMonday42
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Pickpick

Frederick Douglass was a hero to millions and is now an American icon. His story is the stuff of legends, and now that I‘ve finally read this, I understand why.

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Purrsistently
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TheBookbabeblog84
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Every 4th of July I read or listen to this speech. It‘s just as important today as it was in 1852 when it was Delivered by Douglas. #fredrickdouglass #books #reader #reading

alisiakae Yes!! I have shared this in year‘s past. My family thinks I am weird because I do not celebrate July 4th, but it‘s hard for me to celebrate a day that only commemorates freedom for some Americans. I‘m also not a big fan of the American version of patriotism. 6y
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Kimberlone
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Attending a graduation ceremony tonight and giving these cards with a bookmark to a few students I‘ve worked with since they were freshmen.

Love these postcards from Obvious State, and I often include one with gifts to friends.

Teafiend Beautiful gifts! 6y
34 likes1 comment
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ElisabethRose
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Pickpick

Read this for a book discussion for my internship. I found it "enjoyable" (if you can really enjoy a book about a slave narrative). The thing that struck me the most though was that it was set in my county. I live in Talbot County Maryland where Douglass was born and spent a major part of his life. I recognize the names of the towns and even some of the people. It just made his story all the more reason for me.

ElisabethRose If any Littens are in St. Michaels, MD today stop in at 2pm in the library for a discussion of this book! 6y
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AngelaG1
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Pickpick

Powerful and heartbreaking.

DebbieGrillo I'm loving serial reader. 6y
AngelaG1 Me too! I‘m reading so much more with it. 6y
3 likes2 comments
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nanoauthor
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Some reading for school.

#college

JazzFeathers Read it years ago and loved it 6y
nanoauthor Nice! I've only read the introduction so far, but I'm looking forward to actually reading Douglas' part 6y
8 likes2 comments
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okthislooksbad
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Turns out Amazon Classics Editions are free these days. I may have overdone it a bit with +30 titles.. but it'll be a while before I'm out of reading material. 😂 😂

Yossarian Unclear why you didn‘t buy more... 6y
Kaye I saw a post on here yesterday about it, so I grabbed a truckload. Not sure how many but a bunch. 6y
okthislooksbad @Kaye There is no such thing as too many anyway 😄 6y
okthislooksbad @Yossarian Good question 🤔🤔 6y
Kaye I got 69 , with 10 pre-orders. 😮 6y
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Gezemice
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Pickpick

This is a must read for everyone. While I have read fiction and non-fiction about the horrors of slavery, hearing it from someone's first-hand exoerience makes it even more real. It is so hard to believe that this cruelty existed, was accepted, was the norm. Frederick Douglass himself was an extraordinarily bright and strong man with great leadership qualities. Read it - it is short, powerful and well written. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Gezemice
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"Slaves #sing most when they are most unhappy."
My #currentread is devastating.
#quotsydec17

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CatLass007

“ what I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference…”

UrsulaMonarch 👏👏👏 6y
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Nat_Reads
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Pickpick

Re-read of this one. A difficult, emotional true story about one man's will to freedom in spite of his (our) nation. Douglass' story serves as a lesson in history, rhetoric, and humanity.

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CatLass007

Here is the third book I am reading on Serial Reader. It is a grim look at slavery but so important to know about this time. I just finished Issue 1 of 16, a much shorter read than the first two. I am not sure how many descriptions of brutal whippings and the rape of female slaves I can take, but I am determined to read the entire autobiography, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me.

CatLass007 Americans need to be uncomfortable with this part of their past rather than glorifying it. 6y
tpixie @CatLass007 agree and not only Americans- slavery was quite widespread unfortunately! 6y
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heikemarie
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Finally got myself set up @NCNY ! Perched atop my mound of papers to grade - thank you again!! it inspires wonder in 7th graders who pretend to be jaded.

Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻 6y
NCNY I love it!! What a wonderful message. And it fits perfectly! 🙂 6y
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Megara
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Pickpick

This should be read in our public schools.

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JazzFeathers
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Pickpick

I've read a few #TrueStories but these two are my absolute favorite. Neither as happy (Peltier's who's still in prison), but they are truly inspiring

#Riotgrams

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Brian_L

I have found that, to make a contented slave, it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision, and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason.

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kricheal
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Pickpick

Third book finished on @SerialReader. Very powerful read.

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kricheal
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Got a new badge today😀

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Iindseyo
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I will not buy more books. I will not buy more books. #bookwormproblems

Redwritinghood I've tried telling myself that too (sigh). 7y
Karkar Oh I just bought the Count of Monte Cristo in this version. The covers are so pretty and feel good. 7y
Lmstraubie Sooooo...How many did you get?? 7y
40 likes3 comments
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8little_paws
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Serial reader has biography and nonfic! I'm really enjoying the experience of reading Frederick Douglass's memoir using this app. Next up will be Sojourner Truth.

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8little_paws
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#todayinsj today is the date Frederick Douglass chose to celebrate his birthday.

I'm also reading the book tagged currently through serial reader! So happy I decided to check that app out. There is a nice selection of historical non fiction there for me to read.

Mimi28 Happy Valentine's Day!! ❤😻📚😎 7y
Lola I hear he's doing excellent work 🙄 7y
Foragingfantasy I read this in college, it was difficult but I remember thinking it was an excellent read. 7y
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kricheal
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Starting this on @SerialReader today!

8little_paws Interesting! This might actually get me to try serial reader. I see a lot of people use it to read classic lit, which I'm not really too inspired by, but this I'm curious about. 7y
kricheal @8little_paws at least check it out. I was surprised by everything that was on there. Many genres, some long reads and some short reads. 7y
8little_paws I just read my first issue of this book just now :) 7y
kricheal @8little_paws awesome 😀😀😀 7y
33 likes4 comments
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freyaheart
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#17booklove how about a book and a snack? Didn't have to chance to have a meal I loved today.

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wonga
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books I found for #BlackHistory month. i'm embarrassed that i've only read the MLK speeches and one of the James Baldwin books. maybe i can use the Frederick Douglass book for #LRC23 (takes place over 150 years ago) in my reading challenge? i hear he's "somebody who's done an amazing job." ??#RiotGrams

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freyaheart
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#riotgrams Black History: I will be reading this today. I've never read it before.

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vivastory
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Pickpick

Vital to understanding how we got to where we are now. The courage & eloquence of Frederick Douglass shines through this abolitionist essay that is as fundamental to understanding our country as Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" & Federalist Papers.

saresmoore Well said! 7y
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vivastory
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KVanRead Wow he really is getting recognized a lot these days... can't wait for his next one! 7y
KVanRead Sorry not really fitting for such s grim quote, but couldn't resist.😌 7y
saresmoore Religious extremism is scary in all forms, but I think especially in the South (even today), it slithers on as a snake in sheep's clothing. Gah! There is so much here that is vital commentary on the current U.S. political climate! 7y
Hollie A former professor of mine, whose office I now occupy, posted a Frederick Douglass image on Facebook with "I survived the Bowling Green Massacre." Frightening times we are living in! 7y
vivastory @saresmoore @Hollie It is indeed absurdly hypocritical that the same time the Muslim travel ban is issued, the Republicans are trying to also pass the Religious Freedom bill. 7y
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vivastory
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saresmoore Oof. I think it's been too long since I read this. 7y
38 likes1 comment