JT

_douglass_address

Introduction to African-American Social and Political Thought (1850-1920)

  • Edited by Howard Brotz, introduction by the editor and foreword by B. William Austin.

  • Published by Transaction Publishers in New Brunswick (U.S.A.) and London (U.K.).

Assimilation and the Address by Frederick Douglass

  • Douglass reflects on human nature among African Americans post-Civil War, highlighting their capability to fight when given a chance.

  • Event Context: Address given at the Tennessee Colored Agricultural and Mechanical Association's annual fair.

Response to Invitation

  • Initial excitement about visiting Nashville quickly shifts to dread upon learning he must speak.

  • Expresses hesitance akin to generals about to face battle, feeling unprepared for the task of delivering an address about agricultural practices.

Recognition of Limitations

  • Acknowledges his lack of expertise in farming and mechanical practice, suggesting there are others more qualified to speak.

  • Quotes a proverb about the relationship between effort and outcome, emphasizing the importance of suitable speakers for their association.

Embracing the Challenge

  • Identifies ways to find courage in speaking, referencing his extensive experience in public speaking despite feeling unqualified.

  • Recognizes that while agriculture is an ancient theme, its principles are still pertinent.

  • Mentions that every new generation often discovers truths that were known to previous civilizations, reaffirming the continuity of knowledge.

Importance of Agricultural Industry

  • Praises the organizing efforts of the association as critical for the advancement of African Americans.

  • Emphasizes the opportunity of starting agricultural careers in a time of significant knowledge and resource availability, suggesting that they are in an ideal moment for success in this field.

Historical Context of Agriculture

  • Highlights the historical continuity of agricultural practices, linking contemporary farming back to ancient cultures notably in Egypt and China.

  • Douglass points out that freedom has opened the land to cultivation, liberating both the land and people.

Relationship Between Freedom and Agriculture

  • Emphasizes that emancipation represents both justice and an enhancement to agricultural production in Tennessee.

  • Argues that under slavery, there was little incentive for slaves to care for the land, thus agricultural success was compromised.

Emphasis on Liberty and Cultivation

  • Douglass posits that liberty, knowledge, and labor combine to create agricultural prosperity.

  • Connects the past experiences of both enslaved individuals and their former masters, asserting that emancipation benefits all.

Building Community and Economic Independence

  • Notes the importance of agriculture for newly freed African Americans as a means of economic independence and community building.

  • Discusses the ongoing societal challenges faced by black individuals, including labor segregation and lack of job opportunities.

Call to Action for Agricultural Development

  • Urges African Americans to embrace farming as their refuge, stating agriculture has no racial bias and welcomes all who seek growth.

  • Encourages gaining skills, understanding soil and animal management, and the importance of well-kept farming equipment.

Insights into Farming Challenges

  • Discusses the need for maintenance of equipment, emphasizing the time wasted through neglect of tools.

  • Encourages building a pleasant home environment for families, linking domestic tranquility to successful farming.

Importance of Soil Care

  • Highlights the interdependence of what is taken from the soil and what is returned.

  • Stresses the importance of manure and care for land to maintain productivity over generations.

Learning and Knowledge Acquisition

  • Points out that knowledge is essential for modern agriculture, urging the reading of agricultural literature to supplement practical skills.

  • Encourages active learning within communities and the importance of education in lifting social status.

Overcoming Agricultural Challenges

  • Douglass addresses various challenges in farming, including economic hardships and managing pests.

  • Advocates for proactive measures against destructive elements in agriculture to ensure successful yield.

Conclusion: Unity and Advancement

  • Concludes with a call to unite for the improvement of the African American community, emphasizing that improvement is essential for survival in the broader American society.

  • Encourages the accumulation of property and the embrace of economic self-sufficiency as steps toward improving social standings.