Ancestor of black icons is thankful
By Glenn Smith
As Nettie Washington Douglass watched Barack Obama win the presidency last year, she couldn't help but offer a few words of thanks to two ancestors who helped lay the seeds for that seminal moment.
Douglass, 66, is a direct descendant of abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass and revered educator and author Booker T. Washington, two of the most iconic black activists in the nation's history.
She told a crowd gathered for the fourth Island Heritage Celebration on Saturday that she felt a special pride in her ancestors' contributions as she watched the nation choose a highly educated and gifted orator to be its first black chief executive.
"I was speechless. It was almost like I was in a dream," she said. "The first thing I thought of was Frederick Douglass. I said 'This is what you gave your life to.' "
The large crowd at the College of Charleston's Stern Center applauded her words and her efforts to preserve the work of her famous relatives and ensure its relevance today.
As various speakers told the audience, both men would be on a Mount Rushmore for black leaders if it existed.
As a child growing up in California, Nettie Washington Douglass didn't fully realize the powerful blood she carries in her veins.
Her mother tried to keep it that way.
Her mother was the granddaughter of Booker T. Washington, a former slave who fought for black education and self-sufficiency and established the famed Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama in 1881.
Her father was the great-grandson of Frederick Douglass, a former slave who spent his life fighting for freedom and equality.
Her parents met at Tuskegee and married soon after, uniting the two famous bloodlines. Her father, Frederick Douglass III, committed suicide before Nettie was born, and her mother long thought the weight of his name and lineage was too much for him to live up to.
Her mother was determined that young Nettie would have a normal childhood.
When people asked what she was going to do when she grew up or how she would follow in their footsteps, her mother would often answer for her. "She would say, 'She doesn't have big shoes to fill, she only has her shoes to fill,' " said Washington Douglass, who now lives in Atlanta.
Still, there were special moments, such as when she was flown to San Francisco at age 8 to present New York Yankees star Joe DiMaggio with the first Booker T. Washington memorial half-dollar.
She learned more about her ancestors' contributions as she grew older, and her mother finally confided in her just how special she was to share the blood of both men.
She embraced that legacy whole-heartedly and now speaks around the country about her relatives' accomplishments. She also is taking their work forward by fighting to end slavery across the world.
In 2007, she and her family founded the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation to fight human trafficking around the globe.
She told the Charleston crowd that the threat is very real, whether it be in the form of a 60-year-old Indian man still working to pay off the debt of his grandfather or a 13-year-old runaway in Atlanta being pimped for sexual favors.
The foundation is working this year to increase awareness of the problem through the 60th anniversary of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on Dec. 2.
"Each one of us is born with the right to live free," she said.
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Comments
stanish (anonymous) says...
Very informative and inspirational article. Yes this is what many of our unsung heroes fought and some even gave their very lives for perhaps one of the most joyous moments in american history. It was an emotional night as I shed some tears of joy also. I couldn't help but thinking of my late Parents, Grand Parents, Great Grand Parents who never witnessed the moment. It was probably inconceivable in their minds that we would reach this pinnacle moment. I 'll be forever indebted to our Great Leaders the likes of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Daisy Bates, Dr. Martin L.King, Coretta Scott King, Fannie Lou Hamer, Hiram Revels, Rep. John Lewis, Harriett Tubman and so many others I could name, as well as those whose names didn't make it into history but their work and contributions still lives on. It showcased a milestone in our country that their was racial improvements for the most part, but the fight is far from over!
June 14, 2009 at 2:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
The election Of President Obama gave america a very shining hour indeed. With that being said however, America still has a long way to go! RACISM is very much ALIVE and one can not live in a world of fantasia to say it's not true! President Obama received 98% of the Black vote which was expected, but he also received record percentages from just about every group in america except the far right and the Confederate region, with the exception of N.C., VA., and FL. I'm not saying that some of those voters who supported Sen. McCain were racist, but I say the MAJORITY of them are! The Confederacy will ALWAYS carry the scars of deeply rooted RACISM and BIGOTRY. One can plainly look at some of the previous postings on this board to validate that. Many were TAUGHT and instilled in them that the Black Race is simply INFERIOR and would only make minimum if any contributions to society worthwhile. Sadly we also have the Black apologetics who benefited from these Great Leaders I mentioned earlier, but would try their very best to UNDO the works they achieved and even gave their lives for. You have the far right hate-filled zealots who questions President Obama credentials, birth certificate and authenticity to display their vile hatred venom while claiming falsely to upholding the constitution. America has made great strides and gains in the arena of race, but STILL has a long way to go!
June 14, 2009 at 3:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I, too, celebrate the progress that has been made. However, how can you insinuate with a straight face that the 98% black vote was not racist while a far smaller number than that in the South is racist. I did not support McCain, but I suspect that as least as many racists voted for O as did M.
June 14, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CompostandWourier (anonymous) says...
Stanish is a racist which should make one pause when trying to consider anything suggested. Proof can be found by reviewing previous posts.
June 14, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
stanish , i hope you can be healed of your racism. your hatred is unreal , but common.
June 14, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seneca264 (anonymous) says...
Let's see if we can knock off the racist labeling for a bit and concentrate on reality. I don't care if you voted for or did not vote for Obama. Give me a list of the great things he has done for this country thus far.
June 14, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
regulardude (anonymous) says...
Stanish - Please stop with the negative comments. There is a time and place to express yourself. Your first post was right on point, and then you followed it with ignorance. I'm not sure if your goal is to promote the accomplishments of African Americans or to simply start a "tit for tat" childish chatroom battle. As a matter of fact, I question who you really are, as well as your motives.
I take pride in reading articles such as this one, because they give me hope, and the drive needed to be successful. Scolding total strangers on the racist ways of certain Americans is pointless. If you really want to discuss racial inequality, channel your anger, and figure out a way to express yourself without pissing people off.
June 14, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
regulardude (anonymous) says...
If everyone stops responding to Stanish (including myself), maybe he/she will SHUT UP, or change his/her name and pretend that their a white supremicist and begin another silly chatroom war.
June 14, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrernurse47 (anonymous) says...
of course,stanish,racism is alive,,,,and you proved it,,,reverse racism... but i didn't vote for o or m...so am i a racist...and can you tell me what color my skin is....oh yeah,,,what color is obama's skin....lol
June 14, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ltgrunt (anonymous) says...
"Ancestor of black icons is thankful"
It's a nice article and all, and of course we as a nation should *all* be proud of how much progress we've made. Of course, it goes without saying that we sitll have a ways to go, but any and every amount of progress is good.
But someone on the editorial staff needs a swift kick in the posterior. "Ancestor" is someone who came before. Descendant is the word which should be used in the headline.
I looked at the headline and wondered exactly how someone managed to either travel back through time or speak with the long-since dead to find out that an *ancestor* of black icons would be thankful.
June 14, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Posted by regulardude on June 14, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If everyone stops responding to Stanish (including myself), maybe he/she will SHUT UP, or change his/her name and pretend that their a white supremicist and begin another silly chatroom war.
You do have that RIGHT not to respond to me or my comments. With that being said, no I will NOT SHUT UP! NO I WILL NOT CHANGE MY SCREEN NAME! I can continue to post on here as long as I stay within the terms and conditions of this site. I'm NOT trying to start a "tit for tat" childish chatroom battle you falsely accuses me of. If you DON'T LIKE what I have to say, skip over my comments. This IS america and EVERYONE regardless of race is entitled to FREE SPEECH. I speak the TRUTH with FACTS to substantiate my case. When speaking on the topic of RACE, it can be a very sensitive issue, but it can also make us stronger and heal old wounds. I am NOT A BIGOT/RACIST. Hatred does NOT consume me as it does many of you who accuses me. I'm NOT saying ALL Whites in the south are all Racist, as a matter of fact MANY are Good and decent people. I'm NOT saying ALL Blacks are shining and role model citizens either! You state you question who I really am and my motives, I question if you are really a BLACK MAN? If you really are, you would most definitely fit in the category of those APOLOGETIC ones as my mentioned. They are REAL BLACKS, and then there are many LIKE you who are just SKIN COLORED ONLY!
June 14, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seneca264 (anonymous) says...
See, even if you are racist or not racist, nobody can list a single thing Obama has done for this country since taking office. I hear the crickets chirping..............
June 14, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Posted by seneca264 on June 14, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
See, even if you are racist or not racist, nobody can list a single thing Obama has done for this country since taking office. I hear the crickets chirping..............
I'll list a few if it will really make you feel important.
He has brought RESPECT and Dignity back to america by being the LEADER we can all be PROUD of once again.
He represents america to the world with CLASS, DIGNITY, and receiving the RESPECT that was Lost during the last eight
years.
He has shown to be a uniter by including in his cabinet people from various backgrounds and the opposition party
Reaching across the aisle to the opposing party soliciting their agenda and including them in major decision makings
Getting Congress to PASS a major STIMULUS BILL in his first month in office to get america economy stabilized resulting in preventing a major CHAOS which would result with our economy totally COLLASPING, UNEMPLOYMENT going through the roof, and the total COLLASPING of our automotive industry.
Reassuring and garnering the faith of the american people that it will take sometime, but our economy will revive.
There you have it! I know they are many criticism of the Stimulus Bill, and no it's NOT PERFECT, but it is a START in helping to rescuing the economy after eight years of TURMOIL! He has INHERITED the WORST financial economy since the Great Depression, but has shown STRENGHT and COURAGE in accepting and dealing with it. This has all been ACCOMPLISHED with just a mere five months in office!
June 14, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CompostandWourier (anonymous) says...
See, I knew the next post would bring out a racist comment
"They are REAL BLACKS, and then there are many LIKE you who are just SKIN COLORED ONLY!"
June 14, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Posted by CompostandWourier on June 14, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
See, I knew the next post would bring out a racist comment
"They are REAL BLACKS, and then there are many LIKE you who are just SKIN COLORED ONLY!"
If I'm a RACIST as you assert me to be, Why in hell are you traveling all over cyberspace to track me down? If I'm irrelevant as you claim, WHY are you even commenting? If it's no TRUTH to what I'm posting, WHY are'nt you ignoring me as been suggested by some of your fellow posters? Could it be, just possibly, that maybe what some of the things say could be possibly TRUE?
June 14, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seneca264 (anonymous) says...
Like I said, what has Obama done for this country since he took office?
Stanish: Get back down in your basement and behave yourself before your parents find out what you ar doing. I don't usually respond to intellectual midgets with shoe sizes that match their I.Q.'s. I thought I would do you a favor.
June 14, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
What is your IQ @seneca? What is your real educational level? Can you honestly admit it? You're a complete IDIOT! You ask a question, and when you get a response you DON'T like, you throw a temper tandrum like a 3 yr. old. Do your parents know what you have been up to lately?
June 14, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seneca264 (anonymous) says...
stanish- I was honestly soliciting an honest and factual response. If I had the time, I could shoot holes in your response until it looked like swiss cheese sport. Your response is your opinion, and it is not based on any facts. I really did not expect much from you stan.
June 14, 2009 at 10:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
omarro1974 (anonymous) says...
Posted by seneca264 on June 14, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Like I said, what has Obama done for this country since he took office?
____________________________________________________________
Obama's White House has had several accomplishments at the end of the first 100 days including: passage of the $787 billion economic stimulus plan, signing into law the expanded State Children Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), that it says provides benefits to 4 million additional working families, signing the Ledbetter law requiring equal pay for women, winning approval of a congressional budget resolution that puts Congress on record as dedicated to dealing with major health care reform legislation this year, implementing new ethics guidelines designed to significantly curtail the influence of lobbyists on the executive branch, breaking from the Bush administration on a number of international policy fronts, including climate change, while spelling out his plan to withdraw American troops from Iraq. He has also ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, in Cuba, as well as lifted travel and money restrictions to the island.(Wikipedia)
Enjoy your summer vacation. Good luck in the special olympics, I'll be rooting for ya.
June 14, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
omarro1974 (anonymous) says...
I wonder if the level of hate directed at Obama because he is of color is proportionate to the level of support because of his color?
What did Bush do in EIGHT years other than not read the PDB telling him that 9-11 was about to happen, then read a book for 8 minutes while the attack was going on.
Seriously, do you really want this discussion?
And while we are on the topic, what have conservatives ever done for this country?
I'll tell you....
Conservatives wanted to stay loyal to England.
Conservatives wanted to make President a life-long appointment.
Conservatives fought against bringing in slave-free states without slave-holding states.
Conservatives fought for the 3/5 rule that counted slaves as partial humans.
Conservatives fought for secession from the Union because they wanted to keep slaves.
Conservatives fought against women"s suffrage.
Conservatives fought for prohibition.
Conservatives wanted to keep us out of WWI and WWII.
Conservatives created Jim Crow laws.
Conservatives lynched blacks routinely.
Conservatives fought against integration.
Conservatives put up "whites only" signs.
Conservatives fought against the civil rights act.
Conservatives wanted to stay in Viet Nam.
Conservatives eliminated state-run asylums and put those with mental health problems out in the street.
Conservatives brought you homelessness and huge deficits.
Conservatives fight to destroy unions and back corporations.
Conservatives want to keep gay Americans second class citizens by denying them the same rights the rest of us enjoy.
Conservatives deny Global Climate Change and fight ANY environmental legislation.
Conservatives fought against Social Security.
Conservatives want to teach Intelligent Design in schools.
Conservatives want to do away with the education cabinet post.
Conservatives want the Church imposed into all aspects of your life.
Conservatives advocated the war and occupation in Iraq.
Conservatives advocate going back to the Gold Standard which was responsible for making the Depression worse.
Conservatives want to do away with Medicare for old people and with Medicaid for poor people.
Conservatives see no problem with our spending $2,500,000,000.00 per week in Iraq and 3 trillion dollars overall.
Conservatives support NAFTA and other job-busting free trade agreements.
Conservatives are against any attempt to provide universal health care or health insurance to all American citizens.
Conservatives believe deregulation brings about competition and lower prices.
Conservatives don"t believe in welfare except of the corporate kind.
Conservatives believe that tax cuts for the rich somehow make poor people money.
Conservatives think unions, that represent the little guy, are a communist plot.
That's about it. I'll think of some more later.
June 14, 2009 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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