Frederick Douglass: “This is the penalty of telling the truth, of telling the simple truth…”

On the recordJanuary 1, 1845

This is the penalty of telling the truth, of telling the simple truth, in answer to a series of plain questions.

Said by

Frederick Douglass

Source

Douglass reflects on the severe consequences faced by enslaved people for speaking truthfully about their condition to their masters.

More from Frederick Douglass

Jan 1, 1881

We are no longer four millions of slaves, but six millions of freemen.

Jan 1, 1881

They cannot be coaxed or driven to vote with their enemies against their friends.

Jan 1, 1881

To-day the negro, starting from nothing, pays taxes upon six millions in Georgia, and forty millions in Louisiana.

Jan 1, 1881

Nothing but the shot-gun or the bull-dozer’s whip can keep them from voting their convictions.

Frederick Douglass: “This is the penalty of telling the truth, of telling the simple truth, in answer to a series of plain questions.”