Frederick Douglass: Belfast statue of black anti-slavery activist unveiled

[ShazzieB]

A life-size bronze statue of the black American anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglass has been unveiled in Belfast city centre.

Mr Douglass, a former slave, was a leading member of the abolitionist movement to outlaw slavery in the US. He visited Belfast a number of times in the 1840s at the invitation of the Belfast Anti Slavery Society.

The lord mayor of Belfast described the unveiling of the statue as a "positive news story for the city". "His writings and his values are just as relevant today as they were in the 19th century when he was touring Ireland," Ryan Murphy said.

*snip*

Historian and tour guide Tom Thorpe said the statue was appropriate, describing Belfast as an "anti-slavery city". He said that while "many people in Belfast did own slaves", an attempt to set up a slave ship company in the city in 1786 failed due to opposition in the city.

"Slavery never established itself here in the way that it did in Liverpool, London, and Bristol," Dr Thorpe added.

More, including additional photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66358247

I thought my fellow DUers might enjoy a piece of uplifting news for a change. This was an eye opener for me, as I had no idea Douglass had such a connection with Belfast or with Ireland as a whole. Good job, Belfast!

(Note: Belfast is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, but when Douglass was visiting in the 19th century, all of Ireland was still part of the British Empire.)

[FakeNoose]

1. Nice to see - I hope I can go to Belfast myself some day

One of my great-grandfathers was born in Belfast. He came to the US as a young man. He found a job, met a young woman, married her, and settled down in Saint Louis. I understand he returned to Belfast several times to visit family, but that was before World War II.

[Spazito]

2. This is great!

I didn't know of his ties to Ireland, Belfast specifically, before this. Thanks for posting it, it is much appreciated.

[mzmolly]

3. We may have to move to Ireland to learn about

US history, before long.

What a wonderful tribute however.

[brer cat]

4. I'm afraid you may be right.

[appalachiablue]

5. Good for Belfast, a noble statue of Douglass.

[mopinko]

6. not to pimp my own thread, but

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218133849

some tidbits you might find interesting. i’m super pissed that eloon came along just when i found irish twitter.

[ShazzieB]

12. I just checked it out!

There are some very informative posts in the replies there.

[Joinfortmill]

7. This is so cool

[iluvtennis]

8. Nice! n/t

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

9. 👍🏼👍🏼

💙☘️💙☘️

[republianmushroom]

10. I like it

[electric_blue68]

11. Interesting Info, and nice statue!

I remember seeing a photo (early photography) of Fredrick Douglass at a photograph exhibit within a museum

Now I might have that particular photo of him in a book.
To see the actual photo was like a thrill of History like a subtle air current touching me of such an important person fairly way back.