Frederick Douglass

By: Paul Laurence Dunbar

Narrated by: Stone Fitzgerald

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 -1906) was a poet, novelist, and playwright. Regarded as one of the leading African-American writers of the 20th century, Dunbar wrote prolifically, composing poetry, short stories, novels, lyrics and other narrative works. During his short life, Dunbar forged a close relationship with the author and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Both Douglass and Dunbar gave a voice to the voiceless. After Douglass’ death, Dunbar laments his passing and the problems experienced by African Americans in the elegiac poem "Frederick Douglass". The poem provides valuable insights into the situation of the African-American community in the late 19th century.

Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks

1 of The Great Afro-American Poems I've Ever Read!

For the time this was written, Dunbar was not only bold, but a Beacon of Hope for all African Americans at the time! Not necessarily just this poem, but 25 books in total have been published by Paul Laurence Dunbar and without a doubt, if nothing else, they provoked thought and hope for African Americans, during a time where there was very little of that to be found... I gave the performance only 3 out of 5 stars due to the fact that I believe they could have done a much better job casting a more suitable Navigator! For example, if you've ever listened to 12 Years a Slave, I'm not quite sure all of the name of the gentleman who narrated that story, but his voice was much more believable! This work, and all other work from Dunbar should be treated with the utmost respect, especially in a time where the racial injustice in our country is out of control! Black lives matter, White lives matter, Asian lives matter, Spanish lives matter, & guess what?!?? If you want to go back and ask some of the most influential black men in US history, take Martin Luther King for example, don't you think that he would agree with this? Don't you think and don't all of you understand? It's not about One race being better or mattering more then another! Humanity matters, all life matters..! HUMAN LIVES MATTER!!!!
Now please, keep in mind, I'm a white man, writing this review in the 21st century, this poetry and all other works by Dunbar or written well over 150 years ago and I bet if he read my last sentence, both, MLK and Paul Laurence Dunbar would agree with me on this 110%!! Thanks for reading my review, and, please, if you're able to reply/comment, I'd like to hear any and all feedback! Chew me up and spit me out if you disagree, I don't care, because I know what I'm saying is right and I believe that we are all created equally!