Douglas's Argumentative Essay: Knowledge Is Power

The phrase, “Knowledge is Power,” is well known all across the world. Everyone agrees that the more you know, the more you are capable of doing. The more knowledge you have about certain specifics and broad concepts, the stronger you are. You are capable of achieving anything. Success is no longer a dream but instead a destination. The world is full of opportunities; however, if we are oblivious and unaware of such opportunities, how can we take full advantage of them? Frederick Douglas is a perfect example of how knowledge is power. He saw it all. Except, it was not until he was educated that he was able to make sense of what he had seen. I believe that it is necessary to receive an education, no matter what the costs.

Frederick Douglas did not always agree with that statement. At times, he thought the costs outweighed the benefits. Specifically, he questioned whether learning to read was a benefit or a cost. In his narrative he said, “…learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing” (PAGE). He spent the entirety of his adolescence as a slave. Before he learned how to read, he had no knowledge whatsoever that could liberate him. The only

knowledge he knew of was how to be a slave. He knew what his owner taught him. Most times, this was nothing. Slave owners feared intelligence. They sheltered their slaves in order to contain their power. They avoided educating their slaves in every way possible. Slave owners knew how dangerous educating their slaves could be because they knew how powerful knowledge was.
As soon as Douglas had been educated, his eyes were opened to reality and truth. He saw the world as it was. He noticed every flaw, sin, and immorality surrounding our world. His perception had completely changed. In his words, “It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out” (PAGE). When his entire perception of his life was changed, he wished he had never learned to read because as soon as he did, he had no where to go next. He had the knowledge and intelligence, but he did not have a way out. Before he knew how to read, he had no sense of right and wrong. He did not love his life; however, he did not have any better idea. He was unaware of how other races were living. Being a slave was all he knew. Now that he knew of the humane ways of living, he yearned for it. He was motivated to do something about his life situation.
The motivation to improve his life was found through learning. Learning is the precondition to freedom. If you were not educated, how would you know you were not free? Learning enables you to understand the circumstances of the world and your life. As an individual, it allows you to see what is missing in your life. No one would search for freedom if they did not know they were not free. For Douglas, learning was liberating. He noticed that, “The first step had been taken. Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell” (53). As soon as Mrs. Auld started teaching him, he found the inspiration to search for freedom.
Aside from learning educational concepts, Douglas learned real life tips that led him to freedom. For example, when Douglas was helping the Irishmen, he told them he was a slave for life. The Irishman pitied his life. He told Douglas that, “…it was a pity so fine a little fellow as myself should be a slave for life” (37). The Irishmen believed in Douglas. They believed he had the potential to succeed. In Douglas’s narrative he specifically quotes that, “They both advised me to run away to the north; that I should find friends there, and I can” (37).
Contrary to Douglas’s learning experience, knowledge is not always a precondition to freedom. For Mrs. Auld, knowledge trapped her. It ruined her life. She could no longer be the same person she was. Douglas describes her like this: “When I went there, she was a pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman…Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities” (32). When Mr. Auld taught her the dangers of educating slaves, a part of her died inside. She lost her personality. The degree of learning as a precondition to freedom is a risky line. For Douglas, learning made him free. For Mrs. Auld, she became a slave to her own self and lifestyle.
Over the course of my learning, I was liberated, not trapped.

From the moment I began attending school, I was set free. I learned something new every day that allowed me to discover the true meaning behind life and freedom. My teachers advocated knowledge and accelerated learning. They acknowledged my interest in learning and focusing on academics. This recognition led to challenging me in all aspects of my academic experience. Some students would back down from this challenge, but I looked at it as an opportunity. It was an opportunity to become an empowered individual in society. It is important to be educated in order to benefit future generations. If no one empowers the youth of our society, what will the world become? Since I have received a liberating education, I want the future generations to as

well.
Throughout my education, there have been times in which my education was not always liberating. My education has been confining in certain experiences. The standards and curriculum do not always allow room for freedom. They restrict my learning to certain areas. Not to mention, I have to conform to a certain standardized level. This prohibits teachers for having absolute control in the classroom. It is difficult for teachers to create differentiated lesson plans. It takes time that many teachers do not have. Teachers put forth their best effort in their classrooms, so they are not to blame for confining educational experiences.
Frederick Douglass spent over a decade confined to the educational experiences of his owners; however, he did not let this stop him from learning. He acquired knowledge in order to gain power. The more he knew, the better his chances were of escaping. He did not want to be a slave for the rest of his life. Douglass taught many individuals how to take their fate into their own hands. Knowledge is power and if we continue to learn, the result will be worth more than the costs it took to succeed.