By: Katherine McCarthy
Nothing inspires people more than a spirited historic Black man from the times of legal slavery. Fredrick Douglas was a dignified man, worthy of tremendous praise. He continues to inspire us because he wanted to make the most out of his life. He knew as a child that he had to make his life different. He observed the difficult situations around him and wisely came to a conclusion that permanently changed his life. He wanted an education.
Frederick Douglass captured his lifelong thoughts in an inspirational autobiography called, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. He wrote, “Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A. B. C. After I had learned this, she assisted me in learning to spell words of three or four letters” (Douglass 48). Education was so important and so invaluable that he, “set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble, to learn how to read” (Douglass 48). He was motivated with a determination to learn in spite of all the difficulties that were opposing his progress.
Douglass had a tenacious strength in the face of surmounting obstacles to overcome the most challenging difficulties with the help of neighborhood boys. He explained, “With their kindly aid, obtained at different times and in different places, I finally succeeded in learning to read” (Douglass 52). Douglas had an immense gratitude for being able to obtain an education and knew the value of it.
Black communities across America continue to remember the heroic story of Frederick Douglass with awe. His story stirs our hears and minds, bringing education to the forefront of our most cherished goals. This desire is joyfully rippling through our communities as we proudly see more Black graduates stand unified in their accomplishments.
This progress has even been measured recently in the current research of the Census Bureau (2020), which found that Black high school attainment is at nearly the same level as the national average (Black High School). Black parents know what education did for Frederick Douglass and want a solid foundation of education for their children.
The Harvard Graduate School of Education (2019) wrote an article called “EdNext Poll: Democrats Divided Over School Choice” that showed supporting facts about the zeal and ambition of Black parents in favor of more choice for the best forms of education. It reports, “African American Democrats support targeted school vouchers, universal vouchers, and charter schools at 70%, 60%, and 55%, respectively” (EdNext Poll). The desire for substantial education is real and growing in Black communities.
Even more worth celebrating, Black college attainment has also increased. Black communities everywhere can be honored with this growing trend. The strong held belief in education that started as one voice from an underprivileged Frederick Douglass has been blown to spread like swirling dandelion seeds into Black communities across America. New Black generations have used the strength of their many voices to imitate Douglass in encouraging each other to have an education that will lead to a plethora of opportunities for our youngest brothers and sisters. The Census Bureau (2020) shows this incline in Black college attendance, where “the percentage of blacks age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher rose from 19.8% to 26.1%” (U.S. Census). This achievement would have been something only wished for in our past ancestors.
As Black students are now registering in up-coming classes for this next academic school year, they remember hearing of the struggles of what life was like long ago in the time of Frederick Douglass with the absence of education as they plan big academic dreams about gaining the most wisdom possible. They will be steadfast in their education and then pivot back into their Black communities to return the favor by insuring that other young Black children across America will hear that same message of the freedom that comes from education. Black communities will be proud to see that love of knowledge continue to blossom in their children’s little hearts and innocent minds for generations to come. Our educated Black communities will always thrive.
Works Cited
“Black High School Attainment Nearly On Par With National Average.” United States Census Bureau, www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/06/black-high-school-attainment-nearly-on-par-with-national average.html. Accessed 14 July 2021.
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. New York, Signet Classics, 2005.
“EdNext Poll: Democrats Divided Over School Choice.” Harvard Graduate School of Education, www.gse.harvard.edu/news/19/08/ednext-poll-democrats-divided-over-school-choice. Accessed 14 July 2021.
“Public Support Grows for Higher Teacher Pay and Expanded School Choice.” Education Next, www.educationnext.org/school-choice-trump-era-results-2019-education-next-poll/. Accessed 14 July 2021.
“U.S. Census Bureau Releases New Educational Attainment Data.” United States Census Bureau, www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/educational-attainment.html. Accessed 14 July 2021.
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