Frederick Douglass and His Universality

Frederick Douglass and his Universality

Frederick Douglass in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a strong, admirable individual. Some people claim that he has characteristics shared by different cultures and societies and that he is the model for all people. These people argue that he is the ideal individual for people everywhere. The opposite side of the argument is that Frederick Douglass is an individual who only represents “American” ideal. This side claims that Douglass is not for all people and that other cultures do not share his characteristics. After reading this book I have been thinking about Douglass’ strong personality and I think he is an individual I look up to. As a person who comes from another culture and reads this book about Douglass’ desire about anti-slavery, I think Douglass is an individual that has the characteristics for my culture too. Thinking further and deeper, I even think Douglass is the individual for all cultures and societies and his characteristics as a strong, admirable individual are universal. I feel people everywhere want someone like him because he has just some basic human natures that every culture wants.

Look at Douglass, he is against slavery and for equality and I think it is a desire for almost everyone anywhere today. In all culture and society now slavery is not popular. A racist and slavery comment will cause many problem and people will not like you. Douglass is a man for all people because he represents people’s desire to stop slavery: “The paper became my meat and my drink. My soul was set all on fire. Its sympathy for my brethren in bonds—its scathing denunciations of slaveholders—its faithful exposures of slavery—and its powerful attacks upon the upholders of the institution.” (140). Douglass is full of fire and he has sympathy for people. He loves his brethren and wants to bring down the slaveholders. I think he is speaking for the people’s heart. He wants to stop slavery and ends all cruel things happening to his friends. Basically he wants freedom and equality for all people. He wants fair and equal chance for black and white people. So he speaks to the white people: “I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and said what I desired with considerable ease. From that time until now, I have engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren.” (140) This is amazing. He is so brave to stand in the front of people and advocate equality. I think equality is just the right thing for everyone in all culture. This is the kind of thing all culture knows and wants. Even though some cultures are still not equal today, I feel it is the basic element within every human heart in all culture. And Douglass is just the right person. Honestly I think people with some education or even without wants to stop slavery today.

Look at Douglass’ personality