1. Frederick Douglass By: Alaina Johnson and Donna Miguel "No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.” –Frederick Douglas

2. Frederick Douglass Unlike his colleague William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass believed the constitution was not a pro-slavery document and could be "wielded in behalf of emancipation." He believed the white government officials could help the slaves. He knew the abolition of slavery was an issue that required everyone to work together to solve. The constitution and the United States, though a white man's institution and country, could change for the better and provide equality for all.

3. Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass supported Abraham Lincoln in his attempt to preserve the Union, believing succession would isolate the slaves and keep them further from the north, trapping them in the South. He knew abolishing slavery required a countrywide effort and the help of people of all races. Together, the union was stronger and offered more help to the abolitionist movement. Freedom would become almost unattainable if the South seceded successfully.

4. Frederick Douglass Douglass taught himself to read. He was self-sufficient and knew no one would help him learn as a slave after his master commanded his mistress, Sophia Auld, to stop teaching him. Once escaped, (fully literate thanks to the assistance of a few local boys) he became an orator for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery society and published The North Star, an anti-slavery newspaper. He took it upon himself to make a difference in the abolitionist movement rather than wait for someone else to find the courage.

5. Frederick Douglass Through his newspaper and speeches, Douglass used the power of words to promote his cause. He gave opponents no opportunity to condemn him for violence and presented his ideas in a peaceful, organized way. He connected to people with his words, particularly his oratory skills, and in this way was able to reach out to everyone and promote a peaceful abolitionist movement.

6. Frederick Douglass Douglass was one of Abraham Lincoln's advisors, also becoming Minister-General to the Republic of Haiti. His involvement in the government that had oppressed him proves he believed change was possible in the oppressive government, and a revolution or radical rebellion was not necessary as others believed. Douglass contributed in a way that caused Lincoln to take notice and provide him with opportunities to expand his abolitionist movement in a peaceful manner, using words rather than force.

7. Invisible Man “Sometimes I sat watching the watery play of light upon Douglass’ portrait, thinking how magical it was that he had talked his way from slavery to a government ministry, and so swiftly.” Frederick Douglass and Invisible Man are both excellent spokespersons. Their words are their weapons in getting ahead. The only difference is, Douglass knew the game and used it to his advantage unlike IM who is getting played. The Brotherhood uses his oratory skills to recruit more members and IM is oblivious to all this. He’s a tool.

8. Invisible Man “Douglass came north to escape and find work in the shipyards; a big fellow in a sailor’s suit who, like me, had taken another name. What had his true name been? What it was, it was as Douglass that he became himself, defined himself. And not as a boatwright as he’d expected, but as an orator. IM admires Douglass’ strength in defining himself despite being given his ‘identity.’ Both men were given new identities in the north, but only one of them made something of himself. That’s the difference between these two men. Douglass is self-sufficient, he does things for himself to get to the top while IM depends on others. He thinks he’s doing a good thing by joining the Brotherhood and getting a new identity, but it’s hurting him more than it benefits him. He thinks he’s a true brother, but he really isn’t. Just like Douglass expected to be a boatwright, IM has to define himself. Maybe he’s an orator or maybe he’s something else. In either case, IM can’t get to the top if he’s still below the white authority.

9. Invisible Man “You start Saul, and end up Paul,” my grandfather had often said. “When you’re a yougun, you Saul, but let life whup your head a bit and you starts to trying to be Paul—though you still Sauls around on the side.” This ties in with the notion of identity. The Brotherhood gives IM a new identity, like how Douglass was given a new identity, and his grandfather advises that IM stick with his original name, his roots. There’s nothing worse than straying away from his roots especially when he’s vulnerable under the white power. He ignores the past and looks to the future with the white man’s eyes and not his. Having IM accept his new identity furthers IM from ever defining himself. The Brotherhood is misleading him when IM believes that they’re leading him.

10. Video Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tTkHJWxfP0 James Earl Jones reads excerpts from Frederick Douglas’ speech, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.”