How Did Frederick Douglass Influence American Culture

One could argue that Frederick Douglass influenced American culture. Even as a slave, Douglass showed resistance towards the cruel, unfair ways of the South and acted as a model for other slaves to do the same. After running away from his master, he did the same with the inequality that he faced in the North, this time to a larger audience. Douglass described the cruel lives of slaves on the plantation to both pro and anti slavery groups. He appealed to them about the need for slavery to end, and equality to emerge. Through his speeches and other written work Douglass changed the lives and ideas of many. Douglass spread the influence that education was the key to freedom. In his personal narrative, The Life of Frederick Douglass, he described his experience with education and how it affected his life. Douglass was first introduced to reading and writing after he was sent by his master to live with the Aulds in Baltimore. Mrs. Auld, his mistress, taught him the ABC’s and the spellings of three or four letter words before his master, Mr. Auld, found out of his private lessons. Mr. Auld forbade his wife from teaching Douglass because not only was it illegal, but he also thought that “Learning …show more content…
He published many of his literary work, one of which was his narrative. The last line of his narrative was, “Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren… [I am] relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice for success in my humble efforts… (76)” Douglass wanted his book to influence more people to fight against the unfair slave system and the propaganda involved with it. As a result, America’s culture began to include raids, riots, marches, and other methods of protest in order to bring