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Holiday should honor Douglass

Although Martin Luther King, Jr., was a great leader, I think that, instead of having a holiday for him, our country should have a holiday to honor a different black leader, Frederick Douglass, who lived 1818-95.

Douglass was born a slave, and he escaped. He published an abolitionist newspaper, "The North Star," and he gave speeches, about slavery, persuading many Whites to oppose slavery.

He was a leader of the Underground Railroad, helping thousands of slaves gain their freedom. He worked in the White House, for President Lincoln, because Lincoln wanted Douglass' advice about how to help blacks, who had just gained their freedom.

Douglass gave a speech during the 1888 Republican National Convention. He was the first black American in a major party roll call vote to have his name put forth for president.

King was a great leader, but Douglass helped blacks leave slavery, which is more important than anything that King did.

Phil Collins

Wheeling

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