Learning to Read and Write

          As Frederick Douglass understood the painful facts that is opened up to him, I learned that everyone can’t expect the desirable things they want as Douglass realized that even after all the slaves are to be freed once they turned twenty-one, they still remain a slave for life. With the things we want, we put it on hold while we gain something from it.

            Frederick Douglass, a slave, didn’t know how to read or write. The thought of him being a slave for life was unbearable. In no hope of being freed anytime soon, he took advantage of learning how to read and write. His mistress taught him to read, but that wasn’t enough. He learned how to read by making friends with all the little white boys in the streets and use them as teachers. And Douglass learned how to write by being in the Durgin and Bailey’s shipyard. He also learned to write by meeting with any boy who could write and compare with each other who could write better. With all the lessons of writing, he would practice writing with a chalk on the fence, bricked wall, and pavement. As he learned to read and write, he developed his vocabulary skills. He learned what the word, abolition meant and thought that someday he would find the perfect time to escape when he had a good chance.

            When Douglass took advantage of learning how to read and write, I learned and gained lessons in my life as well. I learned from my past relationship that we can’t always expect to live a happy ending that we picture because some couples aren’t meant to be. The mistakes we’ve made are just lessons we learn from, so the next relationship we will be in, will make us smarter about our decisions. From the lesson I learned from my relationship was to not let my guard down with boys because I know I will get hurt in the end. When I keep my guard up, I know I need someone who can respect me and be there for me.

            In the end, I learned to take advantage of the lessons we get and learn from them like what Douglass did when he learned to read and write as a slave. And I know from my past relationship that I will keep my guard up when I find that right person.