Dear Mr. Douglass,
Mr. Douglass, I’m not quite sure where to begin. I’m honored that you may be in correspondence with you. I, coming from the year 2010, am very aware of the impact your autobiography and general rhetoric has had on America, specifically on the issue of slavery. I would like to congratulate you on your freedom, and praise your honorable willpower and strength.
Given this occasion, sir, it is your freedom that I wish to discuss with you. While I believe everyone has a general understanding of what “freedom” is, I fear not much time is spent intricately analyzing the its subtle nuances. If we only consider it to be the absence of forced bondage, than technically indentured servants are free. There is a deeper meaning necessary to understand before we participate in any great undertakings. Knowing this meaning will allow us to be accurate in our actions ensuring freedom for all.
To me, freedom can be simply stated (though that does not make it simple to understand). Freedom is the ability to be who you believe you are intended to be. In essence, every person should be able to mold themselves into the best version of themselves. This broad definition isn’t of much use in your current context though. Technically, by my definition, you were “free” as a slave because you were able to free yourself. Therefore, I have a qualifier for my definition. Government’s role is to promote self-actualization; it not to enslave people by any means, whether it be literally, financially or socially. The government should provide ample opportunities for self-discovery.
I am aware that the Emancipation Proclamation was recently created. It’s an important step in the right direction, but we both are aware that it is hardly adequate in ensuring freedom. The great irony is that Lincoln has no power to physically free the slaves it refers to. It also has no impact on slaves in the Border States.
It is easy to view this as a failure simply because it is not the all-encompassing bill ensuring freedom for your people. But it is still a step in the right direction! Now the US is expected to ensure freedom for all people. This represents Lincoln’s devotion to freedom. With him in office there will be more steps in the right direction, and presidents after him will continue walking down that path. But even by my time I’m sorry to say we are far from perfect equality in liberty. But I digress…
There have been people in our country’s history who have accurately represented my image of freedom. For example, Anne Hutchinson, who advocated for female religious freedom in her Puritan community. In exercising her freedom she chose to be in communication with God. According to Marilyn Westerkamp (a modern scholar), there were two apposing religious ideologies: the covenant of works, supported by the governor John Winthrop, and the covenant of Grace, which she supported. The covenant of works suggested that based on a person’s actions, they could tell whether they were predestined for heaven or hell. The Covenant of grace believed one would know based on personal interactions with God. She saw herself just as much in communication with the divine as any man, and taught other women to be just as open. The patriarchal society did not support this, however. John Winthrop brought her to trial and had her exiled for her beliefs, because they ran contrary to his and because she was a woman. Her society did not allow her to exercise her freedom and to pursue what she believed was her best self- a woman in relationship with God. This an example of a government not fulfilling it’s role in ensuring freedom.
Later on in history, another tried to better himself. Benjamin Franklin is known, among other things, for his obsessive attention to his virtues. Pages 63-67 of his autobiography detail the virtues he deemed important, while also explaining how he would “… mark, by a little black spot, every fault [he] found upon examination to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day.”. He was exercising his freedom to become a perfect individual. He was choosing to be the most virtuous person, attempting to be the best individual he could be. However, because he was a white male society was built in his favor, and he had enough material goods to ensure the time philosophize about being a virtuous person.
A fellow student of mine named Athena took a better look at Benjamin Franklin’s life. In her thoughts she referenced the fact that he did not do a very good job of living the values he claimed to follow. In his autobiography there is a conflicting tone of arrogance against his aspiration to be humble. Perhaps he is not the figure we all thought he was. But he still exercised his freedom, even if he was not perfect in his attempts. And Athena was right to say he symbolizes “Americanism” though success and self worth. In exercising his freedom he created a life for himself. He became his best person; because of his success he was able to pursue loftier ideals.
To a certain extent, material goods are necessary to pursue freedom. You must have food, water, shelter and clothing. Your possessions should be enough to satisfy your basic needs. Excess is unnecessary and dearth is demeaning. In your narrative you talk about clothing, and how humiliating only have one set of clothes is. There is a modern philosopher of sorts named Abraham Maslow who asserts that there is a greater pyramid of needs. At the bottom are physiological and safety needs, both of which are tightly linked with material goods. At the top is self-actualization, which is what freedom should be used to pursue. Beyond basic comfort and safety needs, I believe material goods are irrelevant to one’s ability to pursue freedom. I’ve already discussed how Franklin was economically comfortable enough to do so. Anne Hutchinson lived in a stark, minimalist Puritan society and was able to pursue it. Even you, sir, were able to move up with the extremely minimal comforts you possessed. Beyond basic safety and physiological needs I will stress again; materials are irrelevant!
If I may speak to my own personal life for a moment, sir. I’m attending a college called St. Olaf. Its mission statement says the college, “In the conviction that life is more than a livelihood, it focuses on what is ultimately worthwhile and fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit.” It’s this attitude toward the development of the whole person that allows me to pursue self-actualization. In specific, I appreciate Hoyme Hall, where I currently reside. In this environment students foster a sense of independence, build relationships with a diverse population and simply exist in the context of others. I learn about myself and make decisions that I believe will allow me to grow into the person I want to become in the future; here I am choosing who I want to be.
Thank you once again for you time Mr. Douglass. I truly do appreciate you listening to any input I have in the matter. Though I may know the outcome of your future, don’t let it bother you. You have done wonderful work already and are bound to do more. I hope the best for you and your goals.
Most Sincerely,
Michael Enich
