Old Lessons For Obama

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The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society assigned him to travel through part of the state with a white society member to sign up subscribers to the Anti-Slavery Standard and the Liberator.

"I was generally introduced as a 'chattel,' -- a 'thing' -- a piece of Southern property -- the chairman assuring the audience that it could speak."

Douglass, who was self-taught, said that during the first few months, his speeches consisted almost exclusively of narratives of his experiences as a slave. Abolitionist leaders wanted to pin him down to simple stories. "Give us the facts," one told him, "we will take care of the philosophy."

But Douglass grew tired of restating the same stories. "It did not entirely satisfy me to narrate wrongs," he wrote, "I felt like denouncing them."

"I was growing," he said, "and needed room."

Douglass said one abolitionist told him: "People won't believe you ever was a slave, Frederick, if you keep on this way."

He also was told: "Better have a little of the plantation speech than not. . . . It is not best that you seem too learned."

Because of his speech and demeanor, Douglass said, people said "I did not talk like a slave, look like a slave, nor act like a slave."

He had to prove he once was chattel, and he was discouraged from stepping up and out of his place.

Remember, young folks, there's a price to be paid for appearing uppity.

It could even cost you the presidency.

kingc@washpost.com