No one who has not himself been compelled to leave his home and country and go into permanent banishment, can well imagine the state of mind and heart which such a condition brings.
Douglass reflects on the deep emotional and psychological toll experienced by those forced into permanent exile from their homes and countries.
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More from Frederick Douglass
Land is not worth much where there are no people to occupy it, and a mule is not worth much where there is no one to drive him.
The anti-slavery platform had performed its work, and my voice was no longer needed.
I wished it was possible I could remain small all my life, knowing that the sooner I grew large the shorter would be my time to remain with them.
It had no interest in recognizing or preserving any of the ties that bind families together or to their homes.