The Self-Resurrection Of Frederick Douglass (Examples From The Douglass - Tubman 2020 Twitter Page)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III in a three part pancocojams series on Frederick Douglass in contemporary United States culture.

Part III provides examples of tweets from and about a fictionalized Frederick Douglass (from https://twitter.com/FDouglass2020).

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/02/why-frederick-douglass-is-being.html for Part II of this series. Part II explores why Frederick Douglas is being portrayed on twitter as a contemporary superhero.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-brief-synopsis-of-frederick-douglas.html for Part I of this series. Part I documents United States President Trump and his press secretary Sean Spicers' ambiguous comments about Frederick Douglass and provides a summary about the many accomplishments of that 19th century African American.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, and political purposes.

Thanks to Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth for their lifes' legacies. Special thanks to the developer and principal twitter of the Douglas-Tubman 2020 page. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Note [added Feb. 6, 2017] I titled this "The Self-Resurrection of Frederick Douglass" because according to the Douglass-Tubman 2020 twitter page, and unlike some Hollywood horror movies, no one brought that fictionalized Frederick Douglass back from the grave to be used zombie like. Instead, (according to that twitter page), Douglass decided on his own to come back from the dead to "help us with this mess".

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PART III:
BACKGROUND
Here's my take on the "Douglas- Tubman 2020" twitter page:
"Douglas- Tubman 2020", https://twitter.com/FDouglass2020, is a creatively conceived and witty twitter page that lampoons United States President Donald Trump using the fictionalized characters of three 19th century African American historical figures- Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth.

These historical figures have resurrected themselves to save American by campaigning for 2020 United States President/Vice President with the campaign theme "MAGA" (Make America Woke Again). Although "coming back from the dead" and "haunting Donald Trump" are mentioned, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth are portrayed as greatly admired heroes and not as fearful zombies.

That twitter page was developed in response to Donald Trump's February 1, 2017 "Black History Month" remarks:
From http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/02/01/twitter-lampoons-trump-frederick-douglass-comments/97358988/ Twitter lampoons Trump for Frederick Douglass comments
by Sean Rossman , USA TODAY Published 4:55 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2017 | Updated 5:57 p.m. ET Feb. 2, 2017
President Donald Trump's meeting Wednesday with African-American leaders provided his critics on Twitter with plenty of ammo — and they didn't shy from taking fire.

"The White House meeting involved Trump praising black leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass while weaving in shots at media outlets...

The statement getting perhaps the most attention was his roundabout way of lauding Douglass, the famed abolitionist: "Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who has done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice."

Here's what Twitter had to say about Trump's comments:
Daniel Dale ✔ @ddale8
Does the president or the White House press secretary know that Frederick Douglass is dead
3:47 PM - 1 Feb 2017

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jelani cobb ✔ @jelani9
Learned today that Frederick Douglass is still alive, which I found oddly comforting.
3:32 PM - 1 Feb 2017"
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass for information about Frederick Douglass. Here's the first sentence of that page:
"Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey; c. February 1818[4] – February 20, 1895) was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman."
-snip-
Additional information about Frederick Douglass is included in Part I of this pancocojams series.

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Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman for information about Harriet Tubman. Here's the first sentence from that page: "Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross; c. 1822[1] – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist, humanitarian, and an armed scout and spy for the United States Army during the American Civil War."

Also, click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_Truth for information about Sojourner Truth. Here's the first sentence from that page: "Sojourner Truth (/soʊˈdʒɜːrnər ˈtruːθ/; born Isabella ("Bell") Baumfree; c. 1797 – November 26, 1883) was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist."

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TWITTER PAGE SUMMARY AND SELECTED TWEETS FROM https://twitter.com/FDouglass2020 (retrieved on February 4, 2017)
Pancocojams' Editor's Note:
These tweets are presented in chronological order with the oldest tweets given first. I've written the retweets in italics to better differentiate them from their replies.

Twitter page summary:
Frederick Douglass
@FDouglass2020
Dug my way out of the grave to help y'all out of this mess | #FrederickDouglass2020 | #DouglassTubman2020 | Make America Woke Again #MAWA*

Donald Trump's Nightmares
frederickdouglass2020.com
Joined February 2017
-snip-
[Added February 8, 2017]
The slogan "Make America Woke Again {MAWA) is a play on Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again". Here's information about the African American originated meaning for the word "woke":
From https://www.bustle.com/articles/134893-what-does-woke-mean-theres-more-to-the-slang-term-than-you-think
"Urban Dictionary [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woke defines "woke" as being aware, and "knowing what's going on in the community." It also mentions its specific ties to racism and social injustice. To use "woke" accurately in a sentence, one that captures its connotations and nuances, you'd need to reference someone who is thinking for themselves, who sees the ways in which racism, sexism and classism affect how we lives our lives on a daily basis. Or, alternatively, someone who doesn't."...

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Selected tweets:

Frederick Douglass
‏@FDouglass2020 February 1, 2017
"Gearing up for 2020 campaign... and you thought dead registered voters were your biggest problem @realDonaldTrump"

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 2, 2017
Looks like a lot of old rich white dudes are running this show. Have I been living a #groundhog day for the past 200 years?

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Harriet Tubman ‏@HMosesTubman Feb 2, 2017
Hey ‏@FDouglass2020 still looking for a VP running mate?

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 2, 2017
Not anymore, @HMosesTubman

Welcome to the team, Harriet!
#DouglassTubman2020

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 2, 2017
So honored to have @HMosesTubman on the ticket. What a time to be resurrected. #DouglassTubman2020 #DoingtheMost #MAWA

**
Frederick Douglass
‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 2, 2017
Talking race w @realDonaldTrump; proudly showed me pics of the 2 black people he knows. 1 was @RealBenCarson 2 was just a Harriet Tubman $20

**
Frederick Douglass Retweeted
Elizabeth Rasberry ‏@erasberry1 Feb 2, 2017

Lately, I have been so disgusted w/the world. Today, I see @FDouglass2020 & all is well. The interwebs, man. Thanks @AmyMartinQuinn

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Harriet Tubman ‏@HMosesTubman Feb 2, 2017
#MAWA (Make America Woke Again) @FDouglass2020 who can we resurrect to be our campaign manager?

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In reply to Harriet Tubman
Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 2, 2017
@HMosesTubman I say we just take @realDonaldTrump's exact platform and do the exact opposite

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Frederick Douglass Retweeted February 2, 2017

jeremy scahill ‏@jeremyscahill Feb 1
Wait until Trump hears about this Harriet Tubman lady

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 2, 2017
Haunting tf out of @realDonaldTrump #WhatBringsMeJoy

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Frederick Douglass Retweeted

BuzzFeed News ‏@BuzzFeedNews Feb 2, 2017
A Local Paper Went To Frederick Douglass’ Grave To Ask How It Feels To Be "Recognized More And More" https://www.buzzfeed.com/juliareinstein/keep-local-journalism-alive?bftwnews&utm_term=4ldqpgc#4ldqpgc...

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Frederick Douglass Retweeted

Harriet Tubman ‏@HMosesTubman Feb 2, 2017
Building a website is easier than navigating the Underground Railroad. #DouglassTubman2020 #DoingtheMost #MAWA http://frederickdouglass2020.com/

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Frederick Douglass Retweeted

SojournerTruth2020 ‏@SojoTruth2020 Feb 2, 2017
Where there is so much racket something is out of kilter. @realDonaldTrump @FDouglass2020 @HMosesTubman
#backfromthedead

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Curvy Girls are Chic ‏@CurvyGirlsRChic Feb 2, 2017
@FDouglass2020 you are my absolute favorite of all time. Thanks for coming back to save us!

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3, 2017
Frederick Douglass Retweeted Donald J. Trump
So true. Bye bye now

‏@realDonaldTrump
We must keep "evil" out of our country!

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Harriet Tubman ‏@HMosesTubman February 3, 2017
Take note @realDonaldTrump
"He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" - MLK
We are protesting YOU.

**
In reply to Donald J. Trump
Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3, 2017
@realDonaldTrump forget about evil, you've got walking dead Fred doing good works all over America. Deal with that first!

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3, 2017
Since @realDonaldTrump is leaving everyone hanging: give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ✊🏿#resist

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3. 2017
Frederick Douglass Retweeted Judd Legum
Your prejudice is leaking everywhere @realDonaldTrump. Don't worry, I'll clean up the mess *Mops the floor with your toupee*Frederick Douglass added,

Judd Legum @JuddLegum
Trump plays up Louvre attack (injured 1), remains silent on mosque attack in Quebec by white nationalist (killed 6) http://thkpr.gs/2c9a8f14a8c2

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3, 2017
Speaking @ Bowling Green Survivor's Summit this wknd. Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot & monsters evicted from Trump's swamp will all be there

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Frederick Douglass Retweeted
Laci Matthews ‏@LaciLou77 Feb 3, 2017

@FDouglass2020 @kellyg1160 @realDonaldTrump We ❤ you, Mr. Douglass. You were an American hero who's now getting the recognition he deserves.

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Dante A. Ciampaglia ‏@daciampaglia Feb 3, 2017
Hey @FDouglass2020: If you were beetlejuiced out of the grave, I think you need to add Harry Belafonte to your ticket as Sec of HHS.

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In reply to Dante A. Ciampaglia
Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3, 2017
We'll see, @daciampaglia, he might have to jump in the line

**
Frederick Douglass Retweeted
Denise M. Watson ‏@Denisewrites Feb 3, 2017

Denise M. Watson Retweeted Frederick Douglass

I'm so done right now. You are giving me so much life @FDouglass2020 considering you're dead. Or were.
Don't mind if we do. #MakeAmericaWokeAgain #DouglassTubman2020
-snip-
This retweet includes a photo shopped photograph of Frederick Douglas driving a Model T car with Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth in the back seats. Under the photograph this caption: "Harriet Tubman and SojournerTruth2020".

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Frederick Douglass Retweeted
M. Fredericks ‏@zedmorgan February 3, 2017

In movies, heroes are always resurrected when you need them most #saveusHarrietTubman #saveusFrederickDouglass @HMosesTubman @FDouglass2020

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Frederick Douglass ‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 3, 2017
Will the real Freddie D please stand up. I said will the real Freddie D please stand up. *slowly rises from the grave, again, just for show*

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Frederick Douglass
‏@FDouglass2020 Feb 4, 2017
Presidential Library? 2020 we get the Donald J Trump Center for Presidents Who Can't Read Good & Want To Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too

Frederick Douglass
‏@FDouglass2020
@realDonaldTrump from library of Congress on 1800s immigration. The big building w books, where you can read & learn about... Ehh forget it

While large-scale immigration created many social tensions, it also produced a new vitality in the cities and states in which the immigrants settled. The newcomers helped transform American society and culture, demonstrating that diversity, as well as unity, is a source of national strength.

To find other documents in American Memory relating to...

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This concludes the pancocojams series on Frederick Douglas in contemporary United States.

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