Frederick Douglass and the White Negro
Encyclopedia
Frederick Douglass and the White Negro is a documentary film originally released in 2008 (Irish language version entitled Frederick Douglass agus na Negroes Bána).
and the White Negro is a documentary telling the story of ex-slave, abolitionist, writer and politician Frederick Douglass
and his escape to Ireland from America in the 1840s. The film follows Douglass' life from slavery as a young man through to his time in Ireland
where he befriended Daniel O'Connell
, toured the country spreading the message of abolition
and was treated as a human being for the first time by white people. His arrival in Ireland coincided with the Great Famine
and he witnessed white people in what he considered to be a worse state than his fellow African Americans back in the US. The film follows Douglass back to America
where he buys his freedom with funds raised in Ireland and Britain. Fellow passengers on his return journey include the Irish escaping the famine who arrive in their millions and would go on to play a major role in the New York Draft Riot of 1863 which Douglass could only despair over. The film examines (with contributions from the author of How The Irish Became White Noel Ignatiev
amongst others) the turbulent relationship between African Americans and Irish Americans during the American Civil War
, what drew them together and what drove them apart and how this would shape the America of the twentieth century and beyond.
Synopsis
Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
and the White Negro is a documentary telling the story of ex-slave, abolitionist, writer and politician Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
and his escape to Ireland from America in the 1840s. The film follows Douglass' life from slavery as a young man through to his time in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
where he befriended Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell Daniel O'Connell Daniel O'Connell (6 August 1775 – 15 May 1847; often referred to as The Liberator, or The Emancipator, was an Irish political leader in the first half of the 19th century...
, toured the country spreading the message of abolition
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
and was treated as a human being for the first time by white people. His arrival in Ireland coincided with the Great Famine
Great Famine
Great Famine may refer to any of several historical famines:* The Great Famine of 1315–1317 in northern Europe* The Great India Famine of 1344-1345...
and he witnessed white people in what he considered to be a worse state than his fellow African Americans back in the US. The film follows Douglass back to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he buys his freedom with funds raised in Ireland and Britain. Fellow passengers on his return journey include the Irish escaping the famine who arrive in their millions and would go on to play a major role in the New York Draft Riot of 1863 which Douglass could only despair over. The film examines (with contributions from the author of How The Irish Became White Noel Ignatiev
Noel Ignatiev
Noel Ignatiev is an American history professor at the Massachusetts College of Art best known for his call to "abolish" the white race, which he defines as "white privilege and race identity." Ignatiev is the co-founder and co-editor of the journal Race Traitor and the New Abolitionist Society...
amongst others) the turbulent relationship between African Americans and Irish Americans during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, what drew them together and what drove them apart and how this would shape the America of the twentieth century and beyond.