In 1875, ten years after the Civil War ended, Frederick Douglass delivered a speech to black Americans to embrace America as their own. In his speech, Douglass urged blacks to take pride in their American heroes and their unique place in the American story saying, “colored people have had something to do with almost everything of vital importance in this great country.” Today, in the midst of the vocal minority loudly insisting that blacks focus on rejecting America for its sins against their ancestors, may Douglass’ words bring strength and encouragement to those desperate of moving forward and becoming self-sufficient.
