“Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements.
In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress.
If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence.
In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice.”
Frederick Douglass
September 25, 1883
Kind of makes sense when you really think about it...doesn't it?
6 comments:
A lot of times it feels like we are damned if we do and damned if we dont. It's quite a mess to see how a lot of folks will never be satisfied with anything that we do. very saddening and maddening.
This is so true! Wish everyone could read this.
we keep it moving!we keep being the exception to the rule,we keep what our ancestors die for! our freedom ,even if it has a price,love the quote it motivates me more,in spite of the apathy that surrounds our race,adversity only will make you fight harder to achieve the possible and impossible.The Quote is timeless.
"And his coming is resented as impudence."
Fredrick Douglass spoke the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.
I believe history will prove kind to Barack Obama, and he will be considered as one of the better POTUS in history.
Keith, I put that quotation on our staff bulletin board just two weeks ago when the CEO of Phila. WIB, a black man, presented at our professional development day. Our "wonderful" director said that she was surprised that he spoke so well. One coworker asked what was expected from a Morehouse graduate? I was insulted! Since 1883 the mindset of America has remained remarkably the same. The black man is to be seen as an uneducated dolt. Perhaps if this man came in the door with his pants slung around his butt, a 40 in his hand, and the "f" word used to describe everything he would have been acceptable to our white boss.
Things that make you go hmmmm!!
Thanks for this article, very effective information.
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