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Off on My Own (Harlem, New York), from the series "Harlem is Nowhere" | The Art Institute of Chicago. Gordon Parks, 1912-2006

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Wayfaring Stranger - Johnny Cash

"Let him be a fugitive slave in a strange land - a land given up to be the hunting-ground for slaveholders - whose inhabitants are legalized kidnappers - where he is every moment subjected to the terrible liability of being seized upon by his fellowmen...without home or friends - without money or credit - wanting shelter, and no one to give it...not til then, will he fully appreciate the hardships of, and know how to sympathize with, the toil-worn and whip-scarred fugitive slave" (Douglass 113).

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Off on My Own (Harlem, New York), from the series "Harlem is Nowhere" | The Art Institute of Chicago

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“In thinking of America, I sometimes find myself admiring her bright blue sky — her grand old woods — her fertile fields — her beautiful rivers — her mighty lakes, and star-crowned mountains. But my rapture is soon checked, my joy is soon turned to mourning. When I remember that all is cursed with the infernal actions of slaveholding, robbery and wrong, — when I remember that with the waters of her noblest rivers, the tears of my brethren are borne to the ocean, disregarded and forgotten, and that her most fertile fields drink daily of the warm blood of my outraged sisters, I am filled with unutterable loathing.”  This quote is about how America looks beautiful on the outside but  really there is a lot of injustice and violence that are seen only if you look closer. Similarly Nick Cave’s Spinner Forest made of metallic wind spinners looks beautiful and colorful  at first glance but as you look closer you will see guns, teardrops, peace signs and smiley faces. This is supposed to bring awareness to the issues and dark truths across neighborhoods. Both Fredrick Douglass and Nick Cave’s Spinner Forest show how things are not always as it seems.
Sameeksha R

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Cover art to Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly. Photographer: Denis Rouvre

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Original version: https://open.spotify.com/track/3iVcZ5G6tvkXZkZKlMpIUs?si=2edcd509e8bd422d

Clean version: https://open.spotify.com/track/72yHa0Zcman8jBILFZHnpG?si=e6e12e753e994b95

“Alright” from Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 To Pimp A Butterfly album shines light on a numerous amount of issues surrounding the Black population in the United States. Among these, some included are very clearly that of police brutality and gun violence towards Black individuals, and losing relatives, friends, and close ones as a result. Despite this and the silencing of Black voices in the United States, the “We gon’ be alright” chorus paints a picture of hope and perseverance for these individuals through God. Often in his songs, Lamar references religion and turns to it as a form escape from all the bad in the world knowing that through His plan, everything will be alright. It is also imperative to note that the “We gon’ be alright” line is also a chant common in Black Lives Matter protests. In addition to that, the song also portrays Lamar’s struggle with depression as a result of the amount of violence from the police directed to his people. Douglass and Lamar share that struggle of being drowned in negative thoughts at times but that is most important about both is their willingness to come out of that with a more positive outlook. One of Frederick Douglass’ main characteristics was his ability to persevere and always find a way out of the negative situation he was in. “It may be that my misery in slavery will only increase my happiness when I get free. There is a better day coming." is an important quote that highlights that perspective Douglass has towards the future and the hope he has toward it.

In regards to the album cover art, it encapsulates the album’s message of self love/hate, the discussions of race and what it’s like to be Black in America. The picture shows Black male individuals of different ages in front of the White House: the landmark for Black oppression in the United States, which makes the message all that more impactful. The meaning, according to Kendrick Lamar himself, is simply that of “homies who haven't seen the world and putting them in these places that they haven't necessarily seen, or only on TV and showing them something different other than the neighbourhood and them being excited about it. That's why they have them wild faces on there.” This can also be interpreted as the long, exhausting path Black people have taken to close the gap between racial differences. The details on the people like the scars, dark spots, and burns present also depict the reality of communities of people of colour that surround the mansion that is the White House. Politics of the president and hip-hop have been linked together in the past as a result of the lack of action by the president to protect these communities. With Barack Obama’s presidency, we finally saw a true, real and genuine attempt by the president to appreciate the music genre and to invite Black artists and rappers to the White House (something which was never done before). This full circle moment, of inviting and recognizing Black artists ties to that idea from Douglass that “there is a better day coming” and Lamar’s idea that all will be “alright.”

Fabiola Rocha Marquez

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“Begotten” and “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child” - Kettie 

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“Begotten” and “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child” - Kettie 

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https://youtu.be/eBN1ceSIPts

The trauma that Fredrick Douglass encounters on a day to day basis is rooted in his experiences in slavery since the day he was born. The first few lines of his narrative describe how many slaves do not even know their real birthdate or how old they are because the children of a slave were immediately considered property of the mother’s master. Even if, especially in Douglass’s case, the father was a white man. These children were often sold and separated from their parents, almost always destined to never see each other again. The lack of relatives in his life caused Douglass to find community and love in the people around him. These connections became so strong, it almost prevented him from escaping slavery later in his life. In chapter 10 on page 55, Douglass writes that leaving his friends “…caused more pain than any thing else in the whole transaction. I was ready for any thing rather than separation.” The lack of family life that many slaves shared is why they were able to cling onto the other relationships in their lives so tightly. Friendship was a core value and theme through Fredrick Douglass’s narrative because of the hardships he painfully endured as a child.

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Slave Ship by Joseph Mallord William Turner

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Slavery is a harm to the slave and the master -Elly

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Slavery is a harm to the slave and the master -Elly

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“What am I fighting for? What have I done? What am I dying for? What have we all become? Make you like through the pressure Make you live through the pain Sacrifice you for nothing We’re still dying in vain” -Ain’t No Crying, Derivakat

“Slavery proved injurious to her as it did to me. When I went there, she was a pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman. There was no sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness.” -Frederick Douglass

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In the narrative Douglass states “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”  He was a big influence on the African American community, he inspired a lot of people to fight for their freedom and dreams. He is a big example of how hard work pays off as he for years fought back and gained his strength to seek for his dream of freedom and writing. He taught himself how to wrote and read which showed his dedication. Throughout  the book he mentions a lot of how dehumanizing and cruel slavery was, he believed all men were made equal and no human should be mistreated or discriminated which goes back to this painting.
https://youtu.be/YkgkThdzX-8 Imagine by John Lennon supports my idea of equality and the message that both Douglass and this painting are trying to express, it encourages the listeners to create a world of peace, equality, without borders separating the people and with no materialism.

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https://youtu.be/xrAGbRHxyHs  (change is going to come)

This song “change is going to come” by Sam Cook (1964) exposes the struggles that African Americans had during the time of the civil rights movement. I also believe this song also has a connection back to slavery and the life of douglass. In this song Cook shows that change will come with hope and time. The part in the song when he says “Back down on my knees Lor’, there been times that I thought I couldn't last for long, but now I think I'm able to carry on”, can really connect to Douglass's story. There were times where he was giving up and lost his spirit but he always kept faith in him which would eventually bring him back up. Throughout the narrative he brought up hope many times, such as in chapter seven he says “consoled myself with the hope that I should one day find a good chance”. Douglass's struggles were huge but his drive and spirit led him to being a free man. He never let down any opportunity and knew that change would come with these opportunities and his hope. One other aspect about the song is the emotion that is put into it. It is not necessarily sad, but sang in a way that furthers the sense of hope for the future.

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“Beyond the Chains of Religion” (Adrianna)

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“Beyond the Chains of Religion” (Adrianna)

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https://youtu.be/vf6jBP4YXwo
“Nothing should enslave you. Be dependent only on one person – Jesus Christ” -Sunday Adelaja

This picture by Josiah Wedgwood really depicts similarity to how Douglass was portraying the church to be in the body of his book. He shows the church to be non equal to race and against African Americans. It shows how they are not treated as man and brother as god would consider life to be. Douglass portrays the church and religion to be against slaves and as a bad thing through examples of the worst slaveholders such as Covey being the most religious. The song that I have linked by Louis Armstrong is on the contrary of this, just like Douglass’s Appendix where he explains that there is a difference in religion vs the religion of a slave holder. This song is the slaves singing to God to free them just as Moses freed his people from the Egyptian tyrant as a way of showing that they believe in god and god being their savior, yet the god the slaveholders believe in is the god of slaveholding and so the point of this is to show that god is good and not the enemy whereas the people are and do the ungodly acts just as Sunday Adelaja writes in her phrase that people shouldn’t be in control of you, god is the one person that can get you through and should be in control. Do you find religion to be against the freedom of slaves or is it just the people that cause things like this to happen?

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Titus Kaphar: Holy Absence II - Sahana Ramesh

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Titus Kaphar: Holy Absence II - Sahana Ramesh

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thz1zDAytzU

“… Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home

… I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
Comin' for to carry me home
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home”

The painting connects to Douglass’s message of American Christianity’s exclusion of Black people, and the dissonance of the message preached and the actions.

The song, a popular Black Christian hymn and slave song tells a story of salvation. Some believe it to be a call to abolitionists to come and end slavery. Looking specially at the bolded lines, I believe the lyrics can be connected to the fluctuation of Douglass’s motivation: how he was sometimes ready to give up, but a desire to keep going towards better things kept him moving.

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illustration from the 1888 book "The Story of Ohio," by Alexander Black shows a stop on the Underground Railroad.

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Forgot to add this to original pallet post, connects with the song “River” by Leon Bridges showing an actual example of people of color escaping out of slavery during 1888.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Richard Bledsoe “The Determined Sailor” - Cameron Rot

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Richard Bledsoe “The Determined Sailor” - Cameron Rot

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“Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. It means the uplifting of the soul of man into the glorious light of truth, the light by which men can only be made free.”

Go down, Moses - Louis Armstrong

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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"Self Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of his Former Self" by Kerry James Marshall

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Kerry James Marshall and Billie Holiday's "Lady Sings the Blues" - Charles Young

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Kerry James Marshall and Billie Holiday's "Lady Sings the Blues" - Charles Young

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulGwHzrKOAU

"Tell your story, Frederick,” would whisper my then revered friend, William Lloyd Garrison, as I stepped upon the platform. I could not always obey, for I was now reading and thinking. New views of the subject were presented to my mind. It did not entirely satisfy me to narrate wrongs; I felt like denouncing them. I could not always curb my moral indignation for the perpetrators of slave-holding villainy, long enough for a circumstantial statement of the facts which I felt almost everybody must know. Besides, I was growing, and needed room" (220). This quote comes from a later autobiography by Douglass called My Bondage and My Freedom, and reflects his own struggles with white perception of a "black monolith" even within the abolitionist movement (Garrison expects Douglass only to tell the story of his people, not to judge).

Both the work by Kerry James Marshall and Billie Holiday reflect this idea of marginalization of African-Americans through a "black monolith": Marshall depicts a very literal fading out of his selfhood into such a structure, while the title woman of Holiday's song is made to tell of her sorrows rather than judge just as Douglass was by Garrison.

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(Ava Breillatt)
https://youtu.be/sn19xvfoXvk
“Stand Up” performed by: Cynthia Erivo

Both the song and the painting symbolize hope and freedom which are two things that Fredrick Douglass highlights throughout his narrative. Within the painting, Holston uses bright/warm colors for the background to contrast the almost shadowy figures in the foreground. These color choices are used to emulate the feelings of joy and the drive towards freedom from bondage that slaves experienced. The lyrics in the song “Stand Up” are all about standing up for yourself and thriving even when all odds are against you. Fredrick Douglass writes in his narrative, “It rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom, and revived within me a sense of my own manhood. It recalled the departed self confidence, and inspired me again with a determination to be free.” (43)

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Natalie Chen: Joana Choumali's 'CA VA ALLER' (It will be okay)

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Natalie Chen: Joana Choumali's 'CA VA ALLER' (It will be okay)

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“From my earliest recollection, I dare the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in my darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom.” Page 19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoHMScIfzXk
Swing Low (Sweet Chariot)

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
…

A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.

Choumali’s embroidered photographs in her “CA VA ALLER’ collection weaves together emotion, memories, collage, and most importantly: hope. The raw photos were taken on her iPhone in Bassam, a beach resort in Africa that was sadly attacked by three Islamist gunmen in 2016. Choumali had childhood memories in the town, and was forever affected by the violent attack, hence her art. Her use of embroidery was “a way of channeling hope and resilience” in the weary times. The collection connects to Frederick Douglass in that he felt his passion of reading and writing, freedom, and just the belief of escaping slavery was like an angel in the darkness, resembling hope. CA VA ALLER means “it will be okay,” commonly said in Bassam in place of talking about mental health due to superstitions. Choumali provides her artwork to be that angel after the attacks for those in despair as well as herself. Along with the artwork, the song Swing Low provided hope, especially in the lyrics of “a band of angels coming after me, coming to carry me home,” which yet again radiates hope for those stuck in slavery back then. Douglass hyperfixated on that hope, which in return, led him to accomplish freedom.

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https://youtu.be/Z9NYDgbKsBE

In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass uses the quote,
"We owe something to the slaves south of the line as well as to the north of it; and in aiding the latter on their way to freedom, we should be careful to do nothing which would be likely to hinder the former from escaping from slavery." Douglass uses the quote to explain why he does not reveal his method of escape. His action in not revealing how he escaped is an example of Douglass's leadership. Douglass leads through example. His narrative sets these examples for his audience to follow. The picture also shows an example of leadership in a way similar to that of Douglass. It shows the Archer Queen leading her troops into battle against the enemy, in which you can see her own troops fighting against her. This represents how many slaves had to go against other slaves who would lie about their living conditions and treatment by their owners. Michael Jackson's song, "Man in the Mirror" is a song about changing the world. Jackson says,
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could've been any clearer
If they wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change". This relates to Douglass in that Douglass brings about change without relying on others to do it for him.

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The Old Guitarist- Pablo Picasso (Ben Skoler)

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The Old Guitarist- Pablo Picasso (Ben Skoler)

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Hard Times (Come No More)- Bruce Springsteen
https://youtu.be/8nLDj-Vn3AQ

“Slaves sing most when they are unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears" (pg. 15)

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"Stranger in a Strange Land" By Iron Maiden - Caden Christesen

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"Stranger in a Strange Land" By Iron Maiden - Caden Christesen

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In the Narrative and Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass says "Power concedes nothing on the rights, feelings, or sufferings of others." This quote highlights the cruel and indifference shown to the oppressed by those in power, in this instance those being African Americans being oppressed and the Slaveowners being in power. This feeling of being ignored, forgotten, and oppressed is also reflected in the lyrics of Iron Maiden's song: Stranger in a Strange Land. It can best be seen with the quote "One hundred years have gone and men again, they came that way, to find the answer to the mystery, they found his body lying where it fell on that day, preserved in time for all to see" The protagonist of this song, like the enslaved people described by Douglass, has been forgotten and disregarded by those in power. The protagonist expresses a sense of being lost and left behind later in the song as well, best being seen in the pre-chorus "What became of the man that started, all are gone and their souls departed, left me here in this place, so all alone." Both Douglass's Narrative and the lyrics of Iron Maiden's song emphasize this experience of being disregarded and forgotten, once again capturing universal human emotions and experiences of oppression and powerlessness.

Another album cover for the single release of this song exists, which features the same character (Eddie) but in a slightly different scenario. Both started out as paintings commissioned by the band which they later cropped and edited for the purpose of being used as the album covers. Both I think work in tandem with some interpretation for the situation presented with the lyrics and quote presented. They show a hyperbolic view of how it can feel when stuck 'in a strange land'. In the enlarged version of the album cover there are several passerby staring at Eddie presumably due to the fact that he an alien, much as many Americans contemporary to Douglass may have viewed him due to how different he is in comparison to what they are used to in the status quo. As I said it is largely a hyperbolic view, and a fairly abstract one at that, but it still presents the idea that the main character of either media is out of their element and/or doesn't belong. This is further seen in the cover for the single, where Eddie's depiction is further abstracted as he is clad in "Wild-Western" attire in a futuristic bar, increasing the message of him being alienated. Douglass once said "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence", and I believe that that can be applied to the interpretation of these images. Perhaps the character would rather be true to themselves as well, and embraces the alienation rather than hiding from it. The abhorrence Douglass mentioned can be seen in the faces of any of those who viewed Eddie, supporting the idea that he follows Douglass' same philosophies. Overall I think the different album covers work complimentary to the lyrics as they further more ideas seen in Douglass' work. While the lyrics focused heavily on oppression relating to the idea of slavery as a whole the artwork shows elements of alienation and supports being true to oneself, both being ideas and philosophies seen in Douglass' works. Here's a link to the alternative cover for the single and the enlarged album art if you're interested:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bf/Stranger_in_a_Strange_Land_%28Iron_Maiden_single_-_cover_art%29.jpg

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8gG5X5qz9CnpePSRCtdgWZ.jpg

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Stranger in a Strange Land - 2015 Remaster

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Alzheimer’s by William Jay Harris - Stephanie Marcotte 

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Alzheimer’s by William Jay Harris - Stephanie Marcotte 

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“You lose your place like In a book you lose the page in the book of  your life. You cannot find the place to put your thumb, one page looks just like another. You look

out the window you wonder where you are. Is this Calgary? You ask, Calgary is the one page you retain. Calgary Stampede, cowboy town, Lake Louise, ice skating, big bands.

This is the only place In the heavy fog.”

We learn in the very beginning that Fredrick Douglass does not know much about himself. He does not know his age nor who his actual father is and seems to be somewhat blinded from aspects of his own life. The poem seems to connect with this in a somewhat far fetched way but is similar and can be connected to him. The poem is clearly talking about having Alzheimer’s and what it’s like to have to live with it but, isn’t this description somewhat similar to what Douglass had to go through? While it is a disease that affects the brain's ability to remember and recall aspects of their lives isn’t that close to what he went through. His owners kept that information from him leaving him to only guess the seemingly simple information we can gather and understand about ourselves.

The picture above shows a person, someone that we don’t actually know much about, whether or not she’s a real person or certain aspects about herself. She has a second face which could represent her having maybe a second identity, one that is not known simply from the picture. The unknowns lead to questioning and trying to create an identity for her which is basically what Fredrick Douglass had to do. He had to build an identity that did not include parts of his backstory. He guessed on a lot of things to satisfy himself, to allow him to be comfortable with what he knows and not constantly searching for the unknown.

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Invictus by William Ernest Henley + Mercury by Sleeping at Last - Teresa Gillis

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Invictus by William Ernest Henley + Mercury by Sleeping at Last - Teresa Gillis

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Invictus

by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

I feel this relates to Frederick Douglass and his challenges through his life because time after time people have tried to break his soul, from being separated from his mother at such a young age to being beaten relentlessly by slave masters like Covey. "I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul" is a representation that nothing could ever hold down Douglass for long. In that period between getting beaten by Covey and Douglass fighting back against Covey's second beating attempt, Douglass was in a period of acceptance of his life, but it didn't last long as his soul wouldn't allow itself to be beat by someone, let alone broken, under the injustice and prejudice of slavery as projected through slave masters. "And yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid" can refer to how Douglass has only ever known slavery and how its aim is to induce fear into slaves to keep them obedient and afraid of what might come, but he stood fearless in the face of slavery and challenged its strength. Someone strong has a soul of something bigger than what can fit in a human body, and Douglass's fearless soul has had the potential to overpower the workings of slavery since the day he was born, and has continued to do so every day he spent on the earth. "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" reflects Emereson's Self Reliance principles of how you can only rely on yourself, and how Douglass didn't need help from the Underground Railroad or any other resource other than his will and his brain to escape slavery. Having those resources innate, he was always in control of whether or not he escaped or succumbed so slavery, but the right time lay fixed in the timeline for Douglass to learn what he needed to learn in order to successfully pull himself out of slavery.

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"Mercury" - Sleeping at Last https://open.spotify.com/track/3CZY55b05f682apPncuNHY?si=2f252be6f7c14d7f
A few lines from this song I feel also can represent Douglass and his life.
"I watch for signals, for a clue
How to feel different, how to feel new
Like science fiction bending truth
No one can unring this bell
Unsound this alarm, unbreak my heart new"
This section of the verse can be interpreted as when Douglass learned how to read and found a new perspective regarding his state as a slave, he found a new determination to escape that could never be lost (p30: My determination to run away was again revived...WHen that came, I was determined to be off.")
"That somehow, all of this mess
Is just my attempt to know the
worth of my life"
This applies to Douglass in the sense that he created a mess trying to escape and find his worth in the world outside of being a slave since he knew he had one. His entire band of fellow escapees and him were all caught on their first escape attempt, but to them and to most slaves, to know the worth of their life on their own and not attached to a white person or the title of "slave", the mess they create is most likely worth it.

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Stand up- Cynthia Erivo (CAROLINE TURNBULL)

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Stand up- Cynthia Erivo (CAROLINE TURNBULL)

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“I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” This quote from the book expands on the idea that Fredrick could hope for freedoms and wish for it all he wants, but if we wants to be free he needs to get up and fight for freedom. To get what you want you need to take action. https://youtu.be/sn19xvfoXvk The song I chose embodies a similar idea; it is in honor of Harriet Tubman and her journey to freedom. Lastly the I chose the photo because it shows a woman using her voice and standing up for what she believes in.

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Graphic design by Greg Dubois, “ connections that can uplift and empower those who’ve been held back from years of systemic inequality.”

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“Don’t Shoot” by The Game - Harris Ikram 

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“Don’t Shoot” by The Game - Harris Ikram 

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https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-shoot-feat-rick-ross-2-chainz-diddy-fabolous-wale/913324810?i=913327141
“Don’t Shoot” by The Game.

The legacy of slavery and the injustice of African Americans is deeply embedded in contemporary culture. Greg Dubois and  The Game are a few of the many artists today who reflect and adapt the meanings and intuitions of slavery into different ways. They are influenced by Fredrick Douglass who provided his detailed autobiography to expose his and others hardships.  A fitting quote by Douglas which connect to the Justice these contemporary artists seek is, “I speak advisedly when I saw this, - that killing a slave, or any colored person…is not treated as a crime…”(Douglass, 14).

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Joana Choumali's 'CA VA ALLER' (It will be okay)

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Joana Choumali's 'CA VA ALLER' (It will be okay)

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“From my earliest recollection, I dare the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in my darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom.” Page 19

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https://youtu.be/sn19xvfoXvk

In Douglass's narrative he focuses heavily on the corruption of men and individuals in order to become slaves. Douglass suggests that in order for the concept of slavery to work the men must be seen as one, not as individuals. He specifically states, “I have found that, to make a contented slave, it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision, and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason. He must be able to detect no inconsistencies in slavery; he must be made to feel that slavery is right; and he can be brought to that only when he ceases to be a man.” (Douglass 58) Douglass indicates that slaves were not seen as men or people at all but rather dehumanized to excuse the treatment they faced. In the painting, “Towards identity” the artist, Nelson Stevens focuses on taking back the individuality of each member of the black community. Stevens is a member of the AfriCOBRA and his paintings are centered around cultural icons to empower black communities through visual representations. Stevens incorporates bold colors and block lines and patterns to show uniqueness within the individual. Each member of the black community is unique and special in their own way and both Stevens and Douglass emphasize the importance of originality and identity that has been lost in our history due to slavery. In the song, “Stand up” by Cynthia Erivo it says, “You know I got a made up mind.. And I don't mind if I lose any

blood on the way to salvation… And I'll fight with the strength that I got until I die…So I'm gonna stand up…Take my people with me”. This song points out the feelings of slaves trying to make an escape. They know who they are and are willing to fight the system to be free. They understand that it's not going to be easy and they have a lot going against them but they are determined to be themselves. Altogether these artistries work to show the conflict between a man's identity and slavery. They show the importance of standing up and staying true to yourself and the struggles that arise with that.

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“A Plantation Burial” John Antrobus (1860)  

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(Kaleigh Burns)
https://music.apple.com/us/album/gods-gonna-cut-you-down/1440789225?i=1440789230

My heads been whipped with the midnight dew
I been down on bender knee
Talking to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angels feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said John, go do my will
Go tell that long tongued liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that Gods gonna cut em down
Tell em that Gods gone cut em down
You can run on for a long tim
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later, God’s cut you down
Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Working against in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What’s done in the dark will be brought to the light

This song by Johnny Cash speaks of calling out those who claim to be good, but are going against fellow man, and that they can’t hide in the dark forever, God, or man will expose these actions and bring them into the light. Cash singing of heads being whipped and pain, even figuratively, relates, to the corruption of those who claim to be Christian or good people that Frederick Douglass describes. In his appendix he says “We have men stealers for ministers, women shippers for missionaries, and cradle plunderers for church members”. These people who are hiding behind religious to appear as Godly men and women, are quite the opposite, and cannot hide forever, from man but especially from God. Cash “talking to the man from Galilee” connects to how slaves, despite their condition are still able to practice the true virtue and meaning of Christianity which is vastly different from the corrupt slaveholding church of the south.  The painting  above connects to this because it reminds us of the humanity of slaves trying to express family and religion, but having to go out in the woods to do so. Spirituals were songs that expressed emotion and religious praise and these people in the painting are praising and singing which relates to the expression of religion that slaves would still attempt to do but had to do it in hiding for fear of being persecuted because they weren’t allowed to. The slaves are hiding their true virtue while those who practice “slaveholding religion” as Douglass talks of, are hiding from being exposed of their corrupt religion.

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The artist Beauford Delaney captures the struggling existence of being a Black man in America with his vibrant colors and psyche appearance towards the public acceptance as a gay Black man. This corresponds to Douglass wanting to find a deeper meaning in who he is. For example, “You have seen how man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.” (39pg) Douglass struggles with overcoming the obstacles he must face in his life, and one of those is the fear of not living the life he’s been longing for: To figure out his true identity, not as a slave, but as a Black man.

The poem I selected was by Kirk Franklin; a gospel singer and songwriter depicting overcoming your fears. And in this case, the fear for Douglass is the incompatibility of escaping the slave life.
“Pain’s a secret, but it illuminate in you, then it creates a menu.”-Kirk Franklin

https://youtu.be/RG3CtXKIGYg

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Determination within isolationism - Ashley Tsang

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Determination within isolationism - Ashley Tsang

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Oh Freedom! - Golden Gospel Singers

Throughout the narrative of Frederick Douglass, the concept of isolationism and determination is shown. Frederick Douglass talks about how he worked alone and the success he reached (of becoming a freed man) due to self-reliance. Douglass goes as far as to criticize the Underground Railroad, specifically the publicity of it. "I, however, can see very little good resulting from such a course, either to themselves or the slaves escaping...those open declarations are a positive evil to the slaves remaining, who are seeking to escape." (Douglass 107) Douglass is constantly heard encouraging individualism in order for every slave to successfully escape and be free. In Desert Forms, Smith is conveying the message of isolationism. He shows how isolated African Americans are from society and how impactful it is for the community. There is a feeling of uncertainty, with the dark background and lone person in the foreground. The separation between the sole two people of the painting allow for the message of isolationism to be conveyed, as that is a big theme in Douglass's narrative. However, despite being isolated, Frederick Douglass shows determination and his will to become a freed man not just for himself, but for the rest of the slaves who had not been freed yet. In the song, "Oh Freedom," the lyrics show the determination that Douglass expressed in the narrative. "Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom, Oh freedom over me. And before I'd be a slave, I'd be buried in my grave." Douglass shows his determination to be free despite being alone through teaching himself how to read and write, which demonstrates the concepts of isolation and determination (which are shown in the image and song).

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“Cotton Pickers,” by Thomas Hart Benton, 1945

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“Cotton Pickers” by Thomas Hart Benton -Matthew Christesen 

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“Cotton Pickers” by Thomas Hart Benton -Matthew Christesen 

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Before I mention the context of the painting, I wanted to start with a quote from Frederick Douglass, regarding slave treatment in the South. On page 27, Chapter 8, Douglass wrote, “Men and women, old and young, married and single, were ranked with horses, sheep, and swine.” This statement came after a remark he made on page 1, of chapter 1, where he had further elaborated on such a sentiment, stating, “By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant. I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday. They seldom come nearer to it than planting-time, harvest-time, cheer-time, spring-time, or fall-time.” -Page 1, Chapter 1. Notice in the painting, “Cotton Pickers,” by Thomas Hart Benton, cotton picking is not the only action taking place. Upon first glance, one may notice six adult slaves at the forefront of the painting, including four of which picking cotton, one adult slave desperately drinking from a pan, and finally the generous woman offering her contemporary her own pan of water. Upon closer examination, you will realize a baby, painted very vaguely, as Benton’s intention was to symbolize the lack of attention in which it received. However, the most important part of this painting is in the upper right painting, as it relates to the content seen from the quotes in Frederick Douglass’ narrative above. There are two cattle, with one slave out in the far field, headed towards a small house perched on top of the field. The quotes from Douglass emphasize the fact that slaves are on the same level as horses, cattle, and sheep, which coincidentally were illustrated to the exact likeness of that quote. Each and every slave and animal were all on an identical level of land, while the house, although looking like somewhat of a shanty, represented  “the high life” in which slave owners had the ability to look down on people who were viewed as “subhuman”. Thus, “Cotton Pickers” which symbolized the endless hours in which slaves worked with sacks of cotton wrapped around their torsos, coincided perfectly with the ideas regarding slave dehumanization, for which Douglass included within his narrative.

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Featured in Debut Album “Coming Home”, 2015

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(Anna Gustafson)
https://music.apple.com/us/album/river/1079234232? i=1079234243
From one of my favorite current R&B/Soul artists, Leon Bridges song, “River” embodies the experience of actually feeling music. Having metaphors to faith and interpretive meanings connected to escaping to find yourself. Please give it a listen!
Beginning lyrics:
“Been traveling these wide roads for so long
My heart's been far from you
Ten-thousand miles gone

Oh, I wanna come near and give ya
Every part of me
But there is blood on my hands
And my lips aren't clean

In my darkness I remember
Momma's words reoccur to me
"Surrender to the good Lord
And he'll wipe your slate clean"

Take me to your river
I wanna go
Oh, go on
Take me to your river
I wanna know”

“Tip me in your smooth waters
I go in
As a man with many crimes
Come up for air
As my sins flow down the Jordan”

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Douglass highlights the inescapable power that a master holds on page 60 of his novel by stating the following “They do nothing towards enlightening the slave, whilst they do so much towards enlightening the master… and enhance his power to capture his slave”. This cycle seemed endless, for even if a slave did manage to escape, there was always the possibility that they could be captured. The following poem by Claude McKay urges mal-treated people to resist their oppressors, bravely even if they die doing so.

“If we must die, let it not be like hogs

Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,

Making their mock at our accursèd lot.

If we must die, O let us nobly die,

So that our precious blood may not be shed

In vain; then even the monsters we defy

Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!

O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!

Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,

And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!

What though before us lies the open grave?

Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,

Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!