In 1893, Frederick Douglass invited Ida B. Wells to lunch
In 1893, Frederick Douglass invited Ida B. Wells to lunch. They went to a place across the street, but Wells knew they wouldn't be served there. Douglass, however, grabbed her arm and said, “Come, let’s go there.” They walked in confidently, ready to stand up for themselves if needed. Douglass took a table and a chair for both of them, while the shocked staff watched. A standoff happened between the staff and Douglass until the owner realized who he was. The owner warmly welcomed them and shared stories of the times when Douglass visited his hometown. After the owner left, Douglass turned to Wells and said with a smile, “Ida, I thought you said they didn’t serve us here. It seems we’re getting more attention than we wanted.”
Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. One thing he never knew, though, was the exact date of his birth. He struggled with this throughout his life. Douglass believed he was born in February 1817, but records show he was actually born in February 1818. He chose February 14th as his birthday because his mother used to call him her “little Valentine.” Sadly, Douglass didn’t know much about his parents. His mother, Harriet, was sold when he was very young, and he only met her a few times before she passed away. Born into slavery in Maryland, Douglass escaped as a young man and became one of the most powerful voices in the fight to end slavery.
🖋Credit: AfricanArchives.Support
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