Frederick Douglass

In this powerful volume, 15 leading American philosophers examine and critically reassess Douglass's significance for contemporary social and political thought. Philosophically, Douglass's work sought to establish better ways of thinking, especially in the light of his convictions about our humanity and democratic legitimacy - convictions that were culturally and historically shaped by his experience of, and struggle against, the institution of American slavery. Contributors include Bernard R. Boxill, Angela Y. Davis, Lewis R. Gordon, Leonard Harris, Tommy L. Lott, Howard McGary, and John P. Pittman.

Acknowledgments. List of Contributors. Preface. Introduction. Part I: Racial Assimilation And Emigration:. 1. Douglass against the Emigrationists: Bernard R. Boxill. 2. Douglass on Racial Assimilation and Racial Institutions: Howard McGary. 3. Douglass's Assimilationism: John P. Pittman. Part II: Natural Law And American's Founding Documents:. 4. Natural Law in the Constitutional Thought of Frederick Douglass: David E. Schrader. 5. Whose Fourth of July? Frederick Douglass and 'Original Intent': Charles W. Mills. Part III: Enlightenment And Enslavement:. 6. The Claims of Frederick Douglass Philosophically Considered: Roderick M. Stewart. 7. The Grammar of Civilization: Douglass and Crummell on Doing Things with Words: Stephen L. Thompson. Part IV: Moral Suasion And Rebellion:. 8. Douglass as an Existentialist: Lewis R. Gordon. 9. Honor of Insurrection or A short Story about why John Brown (with David Walker's Spirit) was Right and Frederick Douglass (with Benjamin Banneker's Spirit) was Wrong: Leonard Harris. 10. Enslavement, Moral Suasion, and Struggles for Recognition: Frederick Douglass's Answer to the question - 'What is Enlightenment?': Frank M. Kirkland. Part V: Incarcerating And Lynching Black Bodies:. 11. Douglass on the Myth of the Black Rapist: Tommy L. Lott. 12. From the Prison of Slavery to the Slavery of Prisons: Frederick Douglass and the Convict Release System: Angela Y. Davis. Part VI: Douglass (1818-95): One Hundred Years Later:. 13. Frederick Douglass and Racial Progress: Does Race Matter at the Bottom of the Well?: Bill E. Lawson. Selected Bibliography. Index.