Uriah Boston to Frederick Douglass, January 8, 1855
PREJUDICE AGAINST THE AFRICAN RACE.
PO'KEEPSIE, Jan. 8th, 1855.
FRIEND DOUGLASS:—Feeling quite deeply interested with regard to the question,—"What is the cause of prejudice against the African race in the United States?" I trust you will have the kindness to consent to the publication of this communication in your paper. The question presents itself to my
mind in the following order:
Part 1st —Question 1st.—What is the cause of the manifest prejudice of the people of the United States against the African race?
Part 2nd—Question 2nd.—Can this prejudice be removed? and if so, How and by what means can it be removed?
First question—What is the cause of prejudice, &c. Answer—There are three
things that constitute the basis of this prejudice. The three things are these: 1. The national prejudice of race. 2. The degraded condition of the African race, or nation; and 3. The exalted condition of the people of the United States. These three things or elements, in their aggregate character, constitute the basis of what is called American prejudice. The first element is universal; and the two other elements are contingent —circumstances, or condition, bring the foundation thereof. Where these three elements unite, and wherever they exist so united, there will prejudice show itself in its aggravated and most tangible form of manifestation. Hence the peculiar character of American prejudice. That we are not mistaken on this point, is evident from patient consideration of the following facts. 1. Africa (and, as a matter of course, the African race) is one of the most abject and deeply degraded nations on earth. For what cause, or why this is so, no one but the Allwise and Infinite Being knows; but that it is so, none will dare deny. 2. On the other hand, America —the United States of America—stands exalted among the first of the exalted nations of the earth. This, also, no one dare deny. 3. These two races, or nations, know each other; so far as they do know each other, the one (the African) as the most ignored and degraded, and the other (the American) as the most enlightened, powerful and elevated. It my be here added, that the three millions and a half of slaves in the United States, are but a mere fragment of the great African race, sold into eternal slavery, by their own countrymen, for gunpowder and rum. This fact is a sad index to Africa's degraded character. What exalted, civilized and Christianized nation, or people, would, or even could respect and treat a nation, so degraded as Africa, as an equal in any respect. Like begets like, and like loves and admires like. An enlightened, elevated, magnanimous and generous man may and will respect, admire and love others, in whom he sees these qualities; but he can not, and will not admire, love and respect men who are destitute of all these characteristics, though he pity them ever so much. Precisely so it is with nations and races[.]—
Hence the prejudice existing between the African and Anglo Saxon races in the U.S. I anticipate an objection here, viz: that the prejudice against the African race is only felt in the United States, and therefore, it is not the Anglo Saxon race that hold prejudice against the African, but that portion only who are citizens of the United States. To this I reply, that in no civilized country on earth, are the two races brought into such close, inharmonious relations, and where the interests and character of each race are made so strongly and constantly to conflict. When two races are thus brought in contact, there must of necessity be an exhibition of prejudice on the part of the dominant race, whatever be the color of the subject race. I, therefore come to this conclusion: 1. That prejudice against the African race, by the people of these United States, is not caused by the color of the African race, but by national degradation of Africa, and the stigma it throws over all her population and people; and 2[.], because of the elevated condition of the people of these United States.
I now, after, as I think, shown the cause of prejudice, proceed to the consideration of the second question, viz.: Can this prejudice be removed? To which I answer, doubtless it can, and will be removed; but it will require a long time. Generations will pass away before this grand object shall be consummated. This brings us to speak of the means by which the object will be brought about. I predict that the elevation of the African race can only be brought about, by the elevation of the national character of Africa. Indeed, the elevation of the African race must be the result of the elevation of the national character of Africa. This is so plain to my own mind, that, instead of offering proof, as found in the history of the rise and fall of other races and nations, I shall merely make a few suggestive remarks. They are these:—When Africa becomes a great, powerful, Christian, commercial and industrial nation, like England, France and the United States, then, and not till then, will the African race be acknowledged and admitted to terms of equality with the Anglo-Saxon and Galic races. But, when Africa does become so exalted, she must of necessity be treated and respected, because a nation composed of two hundred millions of people, so exalted and brave, not only has inherent qualities to secure respect, but also the power to command it. This day will surely come—not in our day; but come it will at last. We can only say to all true patriots and Christians, in this, as we would in reference to all other things, "have faith in God," and so labor, live and die in faith, with the full assurance that, though we should not live to see the glorious consummation, God will not be the less honored, and we none the less blessed.
Very respectfully yours,
URIAH BOSTON.