Posts tagged "maryland"

W. E. B. DuBois – A Gift for Words

William E. B. DuBois
1868 – 1963
birthplace — Great Barrington, MA

“A Gift for Words”

On Tuesday, August 27, 1963, as thousands of people were planning to march on Washington, D. C., W. E. B. DuBois died. Some people cried when they heard the news. The great black leader, who had been living in Ghana, West Africa, would be missed.

William was a talented man who was respected throughout the world. He was a a scholar, writer, sociologist, philosopher, and leader.

William spent his entire life working for justice and equal rights for black people. He helped organize the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. This great civil rights organization has lead the fight for black equality for over 75 years. William worked as editor of “Crisis,” the NAACP magazine. He wrote more than 20 books. “Souls of Black Folks” is the best known.

Many people have been involved in the struggle to make a better America. But no one was more outspoken than William. He supported the fight for black rights in Africa and throughout the world, and he was a leader of the peace movement. Not everyone accepted his ideas. He was attacked by those who disagreed with him. After years of struggle, he moved to Ghana.

On August 28, the historic March on Washington was held. The man with “a gift for words” would have been proud.

Frederick Douglass – A Trumpet for Freedom

Frederick Douglass
1817 – 1895
birthplace — Talbot County , MD

“A Trumpet for Freedom”

As the tall, bearded black man spoke, you could hear a pin drop. When he finished his moving speech, not a dry eye could be found in the entire hall. Many people were troubled to hear about the cruel conditions of slavery. They knew it was bad, but they did not know how often slaves were whipped and killed. Many were surprised to find out that children were taken away from their parents and sold. Frederick Douglass, the greatest anti-slavery speaker of his time, detailed these cruelties and others. Through him, people “experienced” slavery.

Frederick was born a slave in Maryland. He escaped to New York when he was 21 years old. Like many other black people who were able to secure their freedom, he wanted to see his people free, too.

This self-educated man began to speak out against slavery. Frederick became such a well-known leader that he helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to accept black soldiers into the Union Army. His dynamic speeches attracted many followers in America and England.

In 1847, Frederick established the North Star newspaper. He was later named a United States marshall in Washington D. C., and in 1889 he was appointed America’s minister to Haiti.

People are still moved today when they read Frederick Douglass’s powerful speeches. He was truly “a trumpet for freedom.