"A new condition has brought new duties. A character which might pass without censure as a slave cannot so pass as a freeman. We must not beg men to do for us what we ought to do for ourselves. The prostrate form, the uncovered head, the cringing attitude, the bated breath, the suppliant, outstretched hand of beggary does not become an American freeman, and does not become us as a class, and we w...ill not consent to be any longer represented in that position. No people can make desirable progress or have permanent welfare outside of their own independent and earnest efforts…. We utterly repudiate all invidious distinctions, whether in our favor or against us, and ask only for a fair field and no favor." ~ Frederick Douglass, July 4, 1875

"I know of no country where the conditions for affecting great changes in the settled order of things, for the development of right ideas of liberty and humanity, are more favorable than here in these United States." ~ Frederick Douglass, Speech on the Dred Scott decision, May 1957

Today marks the 117th anniversary of this great man's death. So many of his words speak to us today as Americans. He believed passionately in the promise of America, despite how it had treated him, and he believed in the ability of black Americans to stand alongside their fellow Americans as equal heirs to the American Dream. My desire is to champion the confident and hopeful message he left with us. Ron Miller-another African American... http://RonOnTheRight.com/about-ron-miller.html