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A review by calarco
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
5.0
This year on the Fourth of July, I watched a video produced by NPR, "Frederick Douglass' Descendants Deliver His 'Fourth Of July' Speech.” In summary, it is amazing and so moving that it left me wanting to read more of Douglass’ work. This is how I ended up spending the holiday reading his autobiography, [b:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass|36529|Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass|Frederick Douglass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388234247l/36529._SY75_.jpg|1990110]. This book is also truly amazing, and so incredibly moving.
First of all, I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the most important American autobiographies ever written. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, learned how to read despite the world trying to prevent him, escaped slavery, and grew to become one of the most eloquent human rights writers and orators in American history. To begin to describe how truly tenacious and hardworking this man was, would not even begin to do his extraordinary intelligence justice.
Douglass’ account of his lived experience in slavery is definitely a tough read for the faint of heart. I think some of the strongest moments of this work include his quick work in myth-busting prevalent stereotypes that helped to perpetuate the institution of slavery. For instance, the enslaved did not sing because they were happy at work, they sang because it was the only relief they had. Douglass also explained how the enslaved rarely complained or spoke truthfully of their feelings to slave owners, as a simple piece of criticism could lead to their children being sold states away. Most notably, he makes clear that the most gruesome slave owners tended to be the most religious — especially as they felt their cruel behavior was blessed by God.
“I assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the south is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes,—a justifier of the most appalling barbarity,—a sanctifier of the most hateful frauds,—and a dark shelter under which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of the slaveholders find the strongest protection. Were I to be again reduced to the chains of slavery, next to enslavement, I should regard being the slave of a religious master the greatest calamity that could befall me. For of all slaveholders with whom I have ever met, religious slaveholders are the worst. I have ever found them the meanest and basest, the most cruel and cowardly, of all others.”
While I think it’s safe to say religion in and of itself is not necessarily inherently “good” or “bad,” it is certainly something that can be (and has been) manipulated to fit into the narratives of the dominating culture in just about any given time period. It’s clear that for Douglass, Christianity was hegemony incarnate. I think a modern day lesson that can be gleaned from this work, is that even if a prevalent sentiment is considered benevolent or popular, if it results in hurting people, it is still something that should be assessed and critiqued.
Overall, I really enjoyed this work. As far as I’m concerned, it is one of the most patriotic things an American could possibly read, especially given the current state of affairs in 2020. I couldn't recommend this book more.
First of all, I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the most important American autobiographies ever written. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, learned how to read despite the world trying to prevent him, escaped slavery, and grew to become one of the most eloquent human rights writers and orators in American history. To begin to describe how truly tenacious and hardworking this man was, would not even begin to do his extraordinary intelligence justice.
Douglass’ account of his lived experience in slavery is definitely a tough read for the faint of heart. I think some of the strongest moments of this work include his quick work in myth-busting prevalent stereotypes that helped to perpetuate the institution of slavery. For instance, the enslaved did not sing because they were happy at work, they sang because it was the only relief they had. Douglass also explained how the enslaved rarely complained or spoke truthfully of their feelings to slave owners, as a simple piece of criticism could lead to their children being sold states away. Most notably, he makes clear that the most gruesome slave owners tended to be the most religious — especially as they felt their cruel behavior was blessed by God.
“I assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the south is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes,—a justifier of the most appalling barbarity,—a sanctifier of the most hateful frauds,—and a dark shelter under which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of the slaveholders find the strongest protection. Were I to be again reduced to the chains of slavery, next to enslavement, I should regard being the slave of a religious master the greatest calamity that could befall me. For of all slaveholders with whom I have ever met, religious slaveholders are the worst. I have ever found them the meanest and basest, the most cruel and cowardly, of all others.”
While I think it’s safe to say religion in and of itself is not necessarily inherently “good” or “bad,” it is certainly something that can be (and has been) manipulated to fit into the narratives of the dominating culture in just about any given time period. It’s clear that for Douglass, Christianity was hegemony incarnate. I think a modern day lesson that can be gleaned from this work, is that even if a prevalent sentiment is considered benevolent or popular, if it results in hurting people, it is still something that should be assessed and critiqued.
Overall, I really enjoyed this work. As far as I’m concerned, it is one of the most patriotic things an American could possibly read, especially given the current state of affairs in 2020. I couldn't recommend this book more.