History/Political Science major Joey Barretta will kick-off the 2017 URCA Symposium on April 11 at 9 a.m. with his presentation titled: "Was Martin Luther King Jr. the Frederick Douglass of the Twentieth-Century?" Sponsored by faculty member Dr. Emily Hess, Barretta will compare and contrast the two most prominent African American thinkers in the history of the United States. Below is a portion of his presentation abstract....Both sought to elevate the condition of their race in a society in which prejudice was entrenched. In my presentation, I will compare the methods each used to bring about equality for their race. The majority of Douglass’ public life was focused on bringing about equality by ensuring the principles proclaimed by the American Founders would be fully realized. Douglass’ approach hinged upon great men leading this nation to elevate the American people before, during, and immediately following the abolition of slavery and throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction. Dr. King’s method was not so much a hearkening to the American Founding, but rather a mission to make the love of Christ manifest on Earth and in so doing equality would come. King stressed that appealing to reason alone would prove insufficient due to man’s sinful nature, so his movement would focus on nonviolence and appeal to the heart rather than the mind alone. I assert that while the methods of Douglass and King seem radically different, many of the outcomes of what they sought to achieve were similar, but must also be examined in their historical context.
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