GRIOTS REPUBLIC - An Urban Black Travel Mag - March 2016

from the citizens of the Green Isle and
he blessed them with his presence in
1845 and 1846 to discuss and promote
his book “The Narrative of the Life
of Fredrick Douglass: An American
Slave.”
One of the most poignant quotes from
“My Bondage and My Freedom”:
It is virtually impossible to have a conversation about Slavery in
America without including a rather robust conversation about
orator, abolitionist, statesman, social reformer, and the former slave
known as Fredrick Douglass. The author of “My Bondage and My
Freedom,” which is still required reading in many schools is arguably
one of the most influential African Americans of all time and while
he may be tied to many anti-slavery discussions, what many do not
realize is that he was also an avid supporter of women’s rights and
his views earned him the respect of not only Americans, but the
Irish as well. In fact, Douglas found both support and admiration
“I find
myself
regarded
and
treated at
every turn
with the
kindness
and
deference
paid to
white
people.”
“Eleven days and a half gone and I
have crossed three thousand miles
of the perilous deep. Instead of a
democratic government, I am under
a monarchical government. Instead of
the bright, blue sky of America, I am
covered with the soft, grey fog of the
Emerald Isle [Ireland]. I breathe, and lo!
the chattel [slave] becomes a man. I
gaze around in vain for one who will
question my equal humanity, claim
me as his slave, or offer me an insult.
I employ a cab—I am seated beside
white people—I reach the hotel—I
enter the same door—I am shown into
the same parlour—I dine at the same
table—and no one is offended... I find
myself regarded and treated at every
turn with the kindness and deference
paid to white people. When I go to
church, I am met by no upturned nose
and scornful lip to tell me, ‘We don’t
allow niggers in here!”
This passage speaks volumes about
the admiration Douglass felt for the
Irish and in his book, “TransAtlantic”,
Colum McCann proves the Irish
admired Douglass equally. Douglass
makes an appearance in this work
of historical fiction as the now freed
slave, who has found kindred spirits
in his Irish brethren as they struggle
for equality in a society that was
engineered to keep them under the
heel of the wealthy and powerful.
There is more however, to this book
than Douglass’ visit to Ireland.
McCann ties in two additional stories.