ACSONI statement at the unveiling of Frederick Douglass statue on 31.06.2023
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organised conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” These are words spoken by Frederick Douglass 178 years ago and they ring true to this very day in 2023.
Frederick Douglass was a refugee, an oppressed human being seeking sanctuary or asylum if you will, from an unjust system that stubbornly persists to this very day.
“Am I not a man, am I not a brother?” Frederick Douglass asked in despair and confusion, his question echoed by countless visitors to these shores who sadly do not receive the same welcome as Frederick Douglass did from some sympathetic quarters in Ireland.
We must be mindful of hubris in this moment of unveiling this symbolic statue, in this mindfulness we as a society should show the same regard and reverence for the walking and living Africans, people of Africa descent and indeed all those from other parts of this one world we all share. As we accept this statue of a black man in Ireland we should show the same acceptance, compassion and support for those living and walking among us. The struggle continues in workplaces, shared spaces, residential areas, in the schools.
Let us reflect on the ideals that Frederick Douglass and his fellow abolitionists strove for 178 years ago and ask ourselves if we have lived up to them, are we continuing his work earnestly or are we yet to understand it’s significance?
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organised conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” These are words spoken by Frederick Douglass 178 years ago and they ring true to this very day in 2023.
ACSONI statement read at official unveiling of Frederick Douglass on Monday 31 July 2023