Black History Month, 2019

Born a slave in 1818 and escaped from slavery at the age of 20, Fredrick Douglas became a noted writer, minister of the Gospel, and an abolitionist. Toward the end of his life, Fredrick Douglas was asked for advice by a young man. Mr. Douglas responded with one word, saying it three times, "Agitate, Agitate, Agitate." Believing that advice to be very appropriate at the time, I cannot argue against such counsel. Although I have an affinity and great respect for Mr. Douglas, I would not accept his advice today. Considering my 60 plus years of life experience and the struggle against the enemies of true democracy and civil liberties in the midst of troubled times, if I were asked for advice in my day, I would need at least four words. Those four words would be PRAY, ASSIMILATE, ASSOCIATE, and EDUCATE. 02132019MTFBPoSoup