Frederick+Douglass

Name: Fredrick Douglass Age: 32 Gender: Male Occupation: Author/Publisher/Abolitionist If in politics, what was your occupation prior to that: None Social Class: Freedman Financial Situation: Low(not nearly enough to buy his own freedom) Appearance: African American, Curly and puffy hair, rectangular face Location: Massachusetts, Ireland/Britain Daily Routine: write newspapers and autobiography, give speeches, fight for abolition Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: A runaway slave, learned how to read as a slave, also helps women with their equality, believes in fairness and equality, half African American and half white Past/Individual and family history: Born into a slave family, runs away after learning how to read, avid supporter of William Lloyd Garrison, publishes his best seller autobiography, runs away to Ireland and Britain to avoid his past owner Family: Born under a slave, Harriet Bailey, and a white man(presumably his master), separated with his mother when he was young Social relations with others: Close ties with Garrison, other abolitionists, and woman's rights leaders. Disliked by Southern slave owners. Close ties to politics, as he supports some candidates or policies and denounces others. Religion: Christian Education: Self-taught reading and writing as a slave, white children taught him to read after his owner stopped teaching him Conflicts/Enemies: Hated by many Southerners. After he writes his autobiography, he flees to Ireland, fearing that his master might come to get him.

Journal Entry #1 September 1850 After an elongated but fruitful journey through the advanced Islands of Europe, I have finally arrived back in my home country. Despite this travel being unwilled as well as inevitable due to the inflexibility of this nation, I do not regret the least bit of my tour through England and Ireland.

During my stay in Europe, it seems that my autobiography has become even more of a national novel. Although I was delighted that my work instantaneously spread throughout the nation, I was greatly distressed at the side-effect: my old master claiming to enslave me once again.

If it was now that I was being threatened to be enslaved once more, when the fortification of the Fugitive Slave Law makes me more than susceptible to becoming chained once again, I believe I would have been unable to escape to Ireland-I would immediately have been sent back to the South. If it were not for my dearest British comrades who were more than willing to purchase my freedom, I still would have been in Europe, where there is no fear of recapture.

This damned law is a common enemy to the whole nation: my escaped brothers have to tremble in fear even when they set foot in the freed lands and the rest of the nation is forced to continue its evil ways. The Compromise of 1850 has compromised too much of us colored men. Even in this paradise for escaped slaves, why do we have to shake in fear?

Enough of that topic. I will discuss more of its evil in my new publication, The North Star. Prior to my departure, I had deeply admired Mr. Lloyd Garrison for his noble work in The Liberator, and now that I have a chance, I have began my own abolitionist paper. After the journey, I have started to notice some flaws in Mr. Garrison’s interpretation of the constitution as it relates to us colored men. I have planned a meeting with him today, to persuade him of his misconceptions. Anyhow, I am deeply passionate for the success of my articles, and hope that my due effort will free at least one more slave. May my work enlighten the heart of one more slave owner.

Another interesting event I have been through is the encounter with Sir John Brown. The man truly believes, with quite some zeal, in the freedom of us blacks, and he is not willing to wait another second for abolition. Although this man has noble causes, I am afraid of his methods: he is willing to do anything-and I mean anything-for the fulfillment of his cause. I hope he does not go over the border.

This entry has rather been a synapses since my arrival back into this nation, for this is the first in my diary since my return. I will conclude here, for I have soon to attend a meeting with Mr. Garrison. May God be with all slaves and escapees.

Journal Entry #2 September 3 1852 I was so overwhelmed by the person Sir John Brown is that I could not resist writing this letter. After the multitude of meetings I held with him during the span of two years, I have to say that he is indeed a one-of-a-kind.

At first encounter, he exclaimed with great passion that I should immediately join his ‘army.’ When I enquired what his ‘army’ was, he replied that it is the only and best way for us Blacks to gain back what was lost. He was a genuine abolitionist-true to the cause. One flaw-and unfortunately a great flaw-of him is that he resorts to unsound methods, and does not hesitate to use violence. He has proposed that we meet further, as he supports The North Star with great vigor and is insistent that I be a part of his army of violence against the South.

Well, enough of Mr. Brown. I have had continuous meeting with fellow anti-slavery supporters and escapees of the slave system over the span of two years. One amazing lady is Harriet Beecher Stowe. As the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, she was also a passionate detester of slavery. Her novel is simply amazing. However, after reading the novel, I feel oddly offended.

I have also encountered a poor fellow by the name of Dred Scott. He is an escaped slave as I, but he is much unfortunate than I. Although I had my freedom bought by my European friends, Scott is still pursued by the terror of the Fugitive Slave Act. They intend to pursue him until the end, and he is soon to be put onto a court case upon this matter. I sincerely pray for his success.

These are just some of the many wonderful characters I have met. I will be back soon after my renewed meeting with other abolitionists.

Journal #3 1854. September How could the government be so fickle? The Missouri Compromise had banned the despicable act of slavery in the Northwest, but the Kansas-Nebraska Act has brought the possibility of the reproachable act back. The perfectly fine Wilmot Proviso was turned down, and the system has fallen to this... Even worse, the Southerners, namely Squatters, are illegally moving into Kansas to sway the vote! I am much terrified by the fact that violence has erupted in the lands of Kansas between us Abolitionists and the opposing slave owners. What I fear even more is the fact that Sir John Brownhas left for Kansas with the stern look on his face, swearing that he will murder every Squatter if it will bring freedom to our brothers. I had fervently tried to persuade him that such countless murders may work against our motives, but he has not the capability to listen. There is nothing I can do but pray for our abolitionists, and hope that I do not get persecuted along with this noble yet savage man. As the Kansas-Nebraska Act has sparked the debate on Slavery even more fierce, I have gotten in an irreconcilable argument with my fellow abolitionist, Mr Llyod Garrison. He believes that the Constitution needs to be amended in order to give freedom to us blacks. How racist the thought is! Is he inferring that we are not ‘men,’ when all men are created equal? I cannot believe such an ardent abolitionist as he would condescend on our race and make us seem so inhuman as Southern slave owners would do. From this moment, I will part ways with Mr. Garrison, although I owe the beginnings of The North Star to him, because I cannot simply stay by his side knowing that he thinks of us as ‘less than a man.’ Lastly, let me discuss shortly about the politician named Stephen Douglas. He is the one who enacted the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Whether he did good or evil will depend on the results of the election... Until then.

Journal #4 September 1856 Time passes so quickly when so many drastic events occur head to head. Sir John Brown had finally done his deed and killed 5 white southerners who had invaded Kansas. I fear for him, and-although selfish and weak-I fear for myself. I have been chased all of my life, and now, I am again on the guillotine, fearing any connections that my relate me to Sir John Brown. I know that he means to do good for us, but why does he have to be so drastic in his measures? Dear Diary, I might not be seeing you for a while if I do indeed flee this nation... Another spectacular event that has taken place is the inauguration ofPresident Buchanan. Although he might appear to be indifferent, I know his true measures: he is a pro-slavery president. After so many abolitionists fight for the freedom of our brothers, why does slavery still prevail? I hope that our counterparts in the government substantially fight against the president’s policies and nullify the Slave Power. Furthermore, The North Star sales has skyrocketed last week as we covered the unfortunate story of Dred Scott, whom I spoke about earlier. He has sued his owners and claimed that he is free(and of course he is, the poor fellow), and his case-after bouncing back and forth-has reached even the heights of the Supreme Court! The Southern Judge Taney will be a fierce opponent for Dred, but the fact that he has reached the government level with this case is a reflection of our strenuous efforts. I visited Dred Scott’s family and gave them the support that they need and told them all will be well. However, to my grave disappointment, the world is looking grim. Sir Brown’s drastic actions, President Buchanan’s inauguration, and the Southern Judge Taney all seem to be against out side. Will God stand on the side of justice?

Journal 5 September 1860 My bags are packed, ready to leave. Call me a coward if you will, but I cannot stay here-for the safety of me and for the safety of my family.

Sir John Brown is murdered, ruthlessly hanged for the crime of treason! Treason? What treason? They have murdered a fine man--a better man than any of those Southern slave owners! How can it be that the man is gone now... The one that I looked up to so much... However, his actions have put me into danger as I had originally guessed. I now fear that I may be killed like he was for simply having a relationship with the man. That is why I am fleeing this nation.

My conflict with Mr. Lloyd Garrison has reached its peak as well. I no longer communicate with the man, and as he has offended us blacks with his interpretation of the constitution that implies that we are indeed 'less than human,' I am no longer obliged to befriend him. I have no longer any attachment to this nation which even those 'who fight for the rights of the Blacks' are racist and look down on the poor peoples.

Dred Scott-that poor boy-is now enslaved... How sad it is! The boy who deserves freedom, as every other human does in the world, is now recaptured. After he has tasted freedom, it must be even harder on Dred... Like this, so many of our people, so many of our causes has gone down the drain, and we are left only to mourn these failures. Even I, who promised to fight on the front lines, am running off to avoid any harm to my own life...

Our only hope lies in the man named Abraham Lincoln. He is my new and only hero and hope. If he is voted over all others, our country will be one of hope, not of despair as we now suffer. May God be with each and every one of us.