Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears.
Frederick DouglassRead
A war undertaken and brazenly carried on for the perpetual enslavement of colored men, calls logically and loudly for colored men to help suppress it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote calls for people of color to resist oppression and injustice. It highlights the importance of standing against acts that seek to enslave or subjugate others.
Frederick Douglass emphasizes that when a war is waged with the intent of permanently enslaving people of color, it is not only a moral obligation but also a logical necessity for those affected by such oppression to actively oppose and suppress it. The quote reflects the need for courage and collective action among marginalized communities in the face of injustice.
Themes
WarEnslavementOppressionColored MenResistance
In practice
Example use cases
During a civil rights rally to inspire action against systemic racism.
More from Frederick Douglass
All quotes βWe may explain success mainly by one word and that word is WORK! WORK!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!
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I do not think much of the good luck theory of self-made men. It is worth but little attention and has no practical value.
Frederick DouglassRead
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
Frederick DouglassRead
The Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. Read its preamble, consider it purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? it is neither.
Frederick DouglassRead
Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.
Frederick DouglassRead
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