In the month of February, Americans reflect on the contributions that African Americans have made over the course of our history. Of course, February is also host to President’s day — a joint celebration of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Our neighbors at the American Enterprise Institute have put together a video with AEI’s Diana Schaub and Lucas Morel, a professor of politics at Washington and Lee University, which examines Lincoln’s role in the emancipation of slaves in the United States.
In particular, they discuss Frederick Douglass and his perspective on Lincoln both before and after his Emancipation Proclamation. Special focus is given to Douglass’s speech in 1876 at the dedication of the Freedman’s Monument — a statue in Washington DC, paid for by African Americans, which honors the assasinated president.
Watch the video below:
Fredrick Douglass on Lincoln and Emancipation from American Enterprise Institute on Vimeo.
