On this day, we celebrate the chosen birthday of great orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, Douglass never knew his actual birthdate or age -- but he remembered his mother affectionately called him "Lil Valentine" -- and after escaping slavery, Douglass chose February 14th to observe his birthday as a free man.
At Move to Amend, we don't just pay lip service to the giants on whose shoulders we stand. We take heed of their words and we study their philosophies and strategies -- and that is why we have developed the Movement Education Program. Originally created for our own grassroots organizers, it is now available to all (and FREE)!
Douglass deeply understood the importance of solidarity organizing for collective liberation -- a philosophy that is central to Move to Amend's organizing strategy and guiding values as we work to free ALL the people from corporate rule.
The only Black person to attend the Seneca Falls Convention for women's rights in 1848, Douglass spoke passionately in support of women's suffrage -- stating he could not accept the right to vote as a Black man as long as women did not have the vote. Later he would support the 15th Amendment, which prohibited race-based voting discrimination only.
The history of people's movements in this country is complicated and the forces trying to quell and divide us cannot be overstated. But studying that history is how we learn what worked, and what didn't -- as we continue pressing forward and building power in the spirit of those revolutionaries who came before us.
“We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and the future.” - Frederick Douglass
The Movement Education Program (hosted by our partner, A Radical Guide) can be done individually or with a group -- and addresses the way corporatism, capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy and related oppressive structures impact our organizing, and offers alternatives to consider as we work for justice.
We hope you enjoy this FREE resource.
Saleem, George, Daniel, Jessica, Greg, Keyan, Shelly, Kaitlin, Milly, Joni, Jason, Tara, Jennie, Leila, and Alfonso
- Move to Amend National Team
P.S. On Frederick Douglass' birthday, we think it's a great time to remind our supporters of our Movement Education Program -- a FREE resource for individuals and groups to study movement history and solidarity organizing. Check it out!
