Portside

‘When Human Government Destroys Human Rights, It Ceases to be a Government, and Becomes a Foul and Blasting Conspiracy; and Is Entitled to No Respect Whatever’ – Frederick Douglass

Black radicals read the Declaration of Independence.

‘Our Government May at Some Time Be in the Hands of a Bad Man’ (1866), Cracking Down on Radicals (1795), Emancipation, What Good Is It? (1865), Music at the Library (1940), New Direction for Jazz (1960)

Short Tempers In a Polarized Nation (1860), Justice for the Wilmington 10, Better Late than Never (1980), Just How Bad Can the Federal Courts Get? (1910), Witch Hunters Against Common Sense (1950), War Crimes Are Common, But Not Convictions (1985)

Scorned Black Soldiers Rescue Yankee Doodle (1775), CIA Won’t Give Guatemala a Break (1960), Jim Crow on Parade (1865), ‘Give Peace a Chance’ (1969), Racist Terror at Its Worst (1900), Honoring Frederick Douglass (2015)

Frederick Douglass’ Winning Oratorical Debut (1841), Setting the Standard for Jury Nullification (1670), “Free Joan Little!” Done That. (1975), A Dire Warning, Heeded Not (1975), VERY Late, But Never TOO Late (1920)

Frederick Douglass’s Unusual Book Tour (1845), Andrew Johnson Goes His Own Way (1865), Fight the Power (1975), The ACLU Takes a Stand (1970)

Reader Comments: Donald Trump - We Reject You!; Israelis, Calling for Global Pressure on Israel To Force Immediate Ceasefire; Barbara Dane; Remembering Gustavo Gutierrez; Voter Intimidation and Election Worker Intimidation Resource Guide; more...

What to the Slave Is the Fourth July? by Frederick Douglass speaks to the frustrations spurred by the gap between the ideals of the United States and the reality we witness every day, and the threat of fascism. Read/listen to his brilliant speech.

Even before Douglass arrived in Ireland in 1845, he was aware of the rich tradition of Irish men and women involved in the transatlantic movement to bring an end to the U.S. system of enslavement.