EOTO #2 Frederick Douglass

 Frederick Douglass was a slaved man who paved the way for abolition journalism. He was known for his autobiographies, newspaper, and impeccable speeches. Douglass knew great successes, but that wasn't handed to him. He was born into slavery in Maryland. He was separated from his mother at a very young age. He was said to have a black mother and a white father. He was able to spend his younger years with his maternal grandmother Betsey Bailey

. When Douglass was the age of 5 he was moved to the Loyd plantation where many other enslaved children lived. He was fighting for food, water, and many other needs for survival. Douglass only spent a few years here and was moved to Baltimore. At the age of 8, his responsibility was to care for his slave families young son. While Frederick would take care of him the mother would teach Frederick how to read and write. This was forbidden. His lessons ended, but Douglass found ways he could learn. He would exchange his food and other goods with the poorer white boys and they would teach him. Douglass became a teenager; he was moved and experienced harsher conditions. He was leased to a farmer and was placed at Freeland Farm. Here he was able to start a Sabbath School which taught African American slaves how to read and write. He was able to increase his education while teaching others. Douglass craved freedom and was ready to escape. He was caught during his first attempt at escape. This resulted in Douglass being arrested. He was sent to Baltimore. In September 1838 he escaped his bondage. He dressed as a sailor traveled by train, steamboat, and train again all the way to New York City. He was finally free. 

Douglass was in danger while in New York. Many people would sell out slave runaways for money. He soon met his wife Anna and they moved to New Bedford Massachusetts. This is the start of Douglass's abolitionist movement. Douglass would read William Garrison’s newspaper called the Liberator. The newspaper was all about this abolition movement. This inspired Douglass to get involved. He started to speak on the movement and was invited to speak in front of bigger crowds. He was soon recruited as an agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society. He was soon able to meet his inspiration William Garrison who encouraged him to do more with his knowledge and life experiences. Douglass joined a special task group called the Hundred Conventions. This was a 6-month tour throughout the United States speaking on the abolition movement. This was a dangerous 6 months. Angry white people would often crash the events and assault speakers. At an event in Indiana Douglass’s hand was broken. He never had full use in it again. Frederick spent time abroad in Europe for a few years and studied the freedoms overseas. Once he returned he had the funds to create his own abolitionist Newspaper. He named it The North Star. He told his own stories and opinions. He also started to share coverage of The Women's Rights Movement. In 1851 the name was changed to Frederick Douglass's Paper. It was published until 1860 right before the Civil War. 

Once he returned from the Hundred Conventions Douglass took some time to write an autobiography. ‘Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass’ was his first and most popular autobiography. He wrote about his time in slavery and the torture he endured. Before the autobiography people questioned Douglasses credibility. He was able to settle disputes and doubts people had by naming people and places in his life. The narrative was a success. ,It was such a success that his previous slave owner Hugh Ald wanted to return him to enslavement. To avoid this Douglass traveled to Europe from 1845 to 1847. In Europe, he lectured students, studied equality, and was able to see how people lived in a different part of the world. 

Frederick Douglass was a man of many things, but an easy life was not one of them. He fought for what he believed in and was able to change the world of journalism. He took risks knowing that it could cost him his life or freedom. He wanted to give back to the people by educating them on the wrongs of slavery. His work is studied by students of all ages now and has created a landmark in the history of the United States and Journalism.