What's Up With All This Prejudice?
- Prejudice is everywhere, says Douglass—even into the church.
- But why does this prejudice exist?
- Douglass says the main cause is slavery, and a secondary cause is the way Northern parents talk to their children about black people.
- A man from the audience yells out an example: Children are told that black men will get them if they're bad, which sets them up for a lifetime of fear of black people.
- Douglass points out that lots of people say they like black people fine—some of their best friends are black (oof)—but they only like them in their proper place.
- Guess who gets to decide what that place is? White people.
- White people keep black people down, and then blame them for being down, says Douglass.