The Making of a Man

Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom of me. In my grave and go home to my free destination freedom. The Chicago Defender and Station WMAQ bring you destination freedom.

special radio series dramatizing the great democratic tradition of the Negro people, Interwoven in the Pageant of History, and a part of America's own Destination Freedom. This week, Destination Freedom tells the story of Frederick Douglas, outstanding leader of the Civil War period, and internationally known spokesman for the rights of men. The dramatizations will be in two episodes,

the first entitled The Making of a Man. John Brown's body lay a mold ring in the grave. The Union Army was marching on. The tall man from Illinois was in the White House. There was an eternity behind you, and an eternity ahead of you.

You were like a minute in the middle of it. You went in to see President Lincoln. The President's waiting to see you, Mr. Douglas, this way. Thank you. Visitant your visitor. Thank you, T. I'm here to represent the freedman, Mr. President.

I'm Frederick Douglas. I was once a slave and a fugitive. Now I'm editor of... Douglas, you needn't introduce yourself to me. I know you. Oh, you do? I heard about you long before you heard about me. It's good you came.

You've been through enough to know why the soldiers are out there. Sit down. Let's talk this thing through. Yes, I know you, Mr. Douglas. I know you. I know you, he said. And you wondered how much the tall man knows.

Does he know the year you were born? It was never told to you. Does he know who your mother was? You saw her only once. Does he know the boy who learned the art of reading and who taught the slave on a male implantation until the master nailed the mower up against the gate?