Throughline The Most Sacred Right
Oct 29, 2020
David Blight, a Yale historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is joined by Carol Anderson, a voting rights expert and author of One Person, No Vote. Together, they delve into Frederick Douglass's unwavering fight for suffrage and the sacred right to vote. The conversation highlights the historical challenges, including the impact of Jim Crow laws and voter suppression tactics. They emphasize Douglass's legacy in advocating for equality and reflect on the ongoing struggles for voting rights in America, underscoring the critical need for civic engagement and representation.
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Struggle is Essential for Liberty
- Frederick Douglass believed that progress in liberty requires struggle and agitation.
- Power concedes nothing without a demand, reflecting that rights are not given freely.
Douglass' Bold Escape Story
- Frederick Douglass escaped slavery at age 21 disguising as a sailor using borrowed papers.
- He traveled through multiple states by train and boat to reach New York City safely.
Voting as Sacred Natural Right
- Douglass believed natural rights belong universally, including the right to vote.
- Voting is the most sacred right and a means for self-protection in a republic.
