Happy Birthday Frederick Douglass: A lesson in Unity for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Those who know their American Black History are very familiar with Frederick Douglass.?For those of who don’t, he was born into slavery in 1818.?The exact date was unknown to him but he recalled his mother calling him her “Little Valentine” so he chose this as his day to celebrate.

Early on, Douglass found a connection between literacy and freedom.?At the age of 12, he taught himself to read and write because he was not allowed to attend school. He escaped slavery in 1838. ?In later years, he traveled the US, England, Ireland, and Scotland giving speeches to change the perceptions of slavery and amplify the right to freedom. ?In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.?He worked tirelessly pre- and post-Civil War to ensure the emancipation of slaves.?This short description does not do justice to his many accomplishments and his life’s work.

Douglass was also a strong proponent of women's rights and attended the Women's Rights Convention held at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. He was one of only five men who attended.?Soon after, he met Susan B. Anthony, a champion of the women’s suffrage movement, and they united for both causes.

Yes, they had disagreements.?Yes, their pursuits and priorities sometimes collided.?Anthony opined, if voting “be an inalienable right, it is as much the right of the black woman as it is of the white. And you can’t ask it for any class of men, without asking it for all the women who are deprived of it.”?It is worth noting that, while Douglass supported women’s right to vote, he did not believe that this should extend to black women. Overall, however, Douglass and Anthony believed in UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE and called for enfranchisement regardless of race or gender.

Douglass simultaneously advocated for the vote for women because he believed the strength of American democracy rested on having as wide a breadth of citizens as possible participating in the electoral process.?

Despite differences and disagreements along the way, their common goals of social justice and civil rights lasted throughout their 45-year friendship.?They remained friends until Douglass’ death in 1895.

When marginalized communities co-operate and see intersectionality, they can accomplish what might otherwise be impossible, even when they disagree.?There are times when these groups compete in what I call “the Oppression Olympics” but that reduces the efficacy of every group’s efforts.?Going from POC to BIPOC, or LGB to LGBTQ+, may do more harm than good by fragmenting groups that may not have shared the same start but do share the same fight: ?inclusion and equality in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of society.?The right to walk down the street without fear of police brutality, fear of gay-bashing, fear of rape, fear of gender-identity bullying, fear of denied health services, fear of no access for the disabled.?The list goes on.

As you develop your DEI strategy, see the forest and the trees. Also, when you are assessing the value of your DEI investments or considering deploying a tactic, measure it in context not in isolation. What people say is important is not what drives them to behave. The delta is significant.

And remember that there is power in unity and intersectionality.

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#diversityequityinclusion #intersectionality #discrimination #CHRO

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