On Reading for Freedom

A Conversation with Frederick Douglass

Aristotle wrote, ‘It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” I am no stranger to the skepticism or suspicion that ensues when I read some titles in the public eye. Aristotle’s words were plastered on the back of my school’s sweatshirts in grade school as my mind was fashioned to intake ideas and evaluate them thoughtfully, charitably, and Christianly by the time of graduation. I have not forgotten Aristotle’s words but I have started to wonder why there exists an allergy to reading diversely in many Christian circles. I hope to incorporate the voice of Frederick Douglass, 19th century abolitionist, author, and orator, in this conversation. Our first task is to examine why one should read. 

In the Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass wrote,

“I set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble, to learn how to read.”

Douglass was born into the world of slavery and as early as twelve years old, the wife of the man who had purchased him sought to teach him the alphabet. This was verbally opposed by his slave owner because of the fear that literacy would lead to a desire for freedom. After this incident, Douglass wrote that he “understood the direct pathway of slavery to freedom.” This path was learning to read.

Reading offered freedom.

 He befriended and converted white children into teachers by cleverly tricking them into teaching him reading skills. Sometimes, they would do this for free and sometimes he would pay or trade with them.

“This bread I used to bestow upon the hungry little urchins, who, in return, would give me that more valuable bread of knowledge.”

To Douglass, reading was knowledge and knowledge held freedom. Hence, the purpose of reading to Douglass was to gain his own freedom.

One of the first books Douglass read was a book of speeches by Richard Sheridan. These speeches affected Douglass deeply.

“What I got from Sheridan was a bold denunciation of slavery, and a powerful vindication of human rights.”

Douglass learned things he was never supposed to know by reading. The forbidden act of reading taught him that he was a dignified human being who should not live a life enslaved to other human beings. Reading humanized young Douglass. It set him free, first from his mental complacency in captivity, and then, his new worldview sparked a desire to escape from his physical chains.   

Douglass eventually escaped and became an author and preacher devoted to the abolitionist cause. In captivity, he also learned how to write, which would become essential to his powerful career as an author and memoirist after he gained his freedom. Because of the enlightenment to human rights and dignity he experienced through reading, he could not turn a blind eye to other injustices. He attended the women’s rights convention in 1848 and became an advocate for women’s suffrage and universal rights. He wrote and spoke on this issue with the firm conviction that, “Right is of no sex.”

His commitment to the abolitionist movement and women’s rights were connected by his firm conviction that all people, regardless of sex or race, were dignified human beings to whom all rights, opportunities, and equitable treatment should be afforded. His realization of this seemingly obvious truth and the beginning of his advocacy began when he learned to read in captivity as a teenager. In slavery, Douglass was convinced that the written word held the power of freedom. As a free man, he aspired to read, write, and speak to expose injustice and champion human rights for the rest of his life. 

I can hear the, “yes, but…” counter arguments about the purpose of reading. Where does discernment come in? When is one ready to read diverse texts in their education? Who decides?  There is certainly quite a bit of nuance that could be given to the thesis of “read for freedom.” In short, yes, books have the capacity to shape us and yes, we should read widely. Discernment should play a part in what we do with the text and not in our decision to read the text itself. It goes without saying, but obviously I am not condoning reading pornographic literature in the name of “reading widely.” By the time an individual reaches the university level, there should already be a foundation of conviction balanced with humility that allows their own ideas to be challenged and changed if necessary. It is a fair observation to say that at first, Douglass read “widely” by simply reading at all. Any reading is diverse reading if you have never been afforded the opportunity. Still, I believe the principle applies of reading widely for the purpose of freedom from the chains of one’s own ignorance.

Douglass’ story is inspiring and should cause individuals today to be grateful for the ability to read and write. Additionally, it should also prompt the reader to examine why they read in the first place. According to Douglass, reading is for freedom. However, it is only freeing if it is not censored or curated to fit an agenda. Reading is only freeing if there is freedom to read widely.

At the very least, readers today should read for freedom from ignorance.

What injustices, blind spots, and assumptions might we be unaware of because we are not reading widely enough? What arguments and worldviews might we not be able to thoughtfully engage with because we do not read books that challenge us? Becoming familiar with a wide variety of literature and arguments will make an individual that much more credible as they seek to engage in future thoughtful conversations. 

To reference Aristotle’s words, reading widely does not mean accepting every idea one encounters. It is a misconception that one should avoid or embrace books because they are “dangerous” or “safe.” Richard Sheridan’s book proved dangerous to the hold of slavery on Douglass. Reading can be dangerous to some ideologies, but I think this is a good thing from a historical standpoint. As seen in Douglass’ escape from slavery, ignorance is never bliss. Aristotle would argue that an educated mind should be able to read anything and entertain its argument without necessarily accepting it. Douglass would say, Read for freedom. We should say to books, “Expose our ignorance! Set us free!” This is how I hope to see more people, especially Christians, encounter books. Even the most provocative, seemingly contrary to our own values, book will expose some ignorance about the topic in us. As observed in Douglass’ life and so many other enslaved people, reading is a privilege and humanizes the reader. 

So what should you read? Read books that minister to your soul, read books that make you angry, read books you agree with, read books you disagree with, read books that help you discover truth, read books that help you uncover lies, read books that counter your own assumptions, read to gain a heart of wisdom. Read for freedom. 

To put this principle into action, I have included some book recommendations for Black History Month below. It’s the end of February, but it is always a good month to read these books. Stay tuned for a Women’s History Month list in March.

Take up and read (widely)!

*Most information and quotes from Douglass in this article are taken from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.