22 Frederick Douglass Quotes to Make You Fight to Stop Ignorance
Frederick Douglass is widely known as one of the most vocal defenders of human rights in the anti-slavery movement.
Douglass’ ideological opposition to slavery began to take shape after he was taught to read and write. Education was banned for slaves, but in spite of this, his slaveholder Sophia Auld decided to teach him the alphabet when he was around the age of 12. Not long after, her husband forbade her from teaching, but that didn't stop Douglass who continued to seek learning opportunities wherever they may arise.
Frederick Douglass went on to write several autobiographies -- the most famous of which being Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass -- openly describing his own experiences as a slave. Later on, he went on to become the first African-American citizen to hold a high U.S. government rank.
Even after the Civil War was over, Douglass continued his campaign against slavery and has strengthened the idea according to which slaves weren’t able to function as independent American citizens because they were denied the access to education, not because they lacked the intellectual capacity. And he was the living proof of these arguments.
Opposing such a deeply rooted system, rising alone against so many, proves nothing but courage and love for people and freedom.
Here are 22 Frederick Douglass quotes to make you want to stop ignorance from prevailing:
I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave.
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.
Without a struggle, there can be no progress.
People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.
The white man's happiness cannot be purchased by the black man's misery.
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.
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.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.
The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.Man's greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers to things needed to be done.
A man's character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him.
The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.
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.
Some know the value of education by having it. I knew its value by not having it.
A smile or a tear has no nationality; joy and sorrow speak alike to all nations, and they, above all the confusion of tongues, proclaim the brotherhood of man.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitude.
A man is worked upon by what he works on. He may carve out his circumstances, but his circumstances will carve him out as well.
Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.