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1. The Landscape of Current Care Discourse A chapter in American history about something that appears to be a quintessentially noncaring struggle for power reveals the pervasive significance of care. In the 1840s Frederick Douglass (1818–95) became a powerful force for the abolitionist movement through his brilliant oratory and captivating writing. Douglass addressed social justice in his speaking tours, but he knew that his message had to bridge the tremendous gap between his experiences and those of white audiences in New England and the Midwest.His dark skin elicited objectification: “I was generally introduced as a ‘chattel’—a ‘thing’— a piece of southern ‘property’—the chairman assuring the audience that ‘it’ could speak.”1 Douglass had been a slave and knew the violence of living as a powerless member of society. In his autobiography he identifies the turning point of his life as a moment when he physically stood up to his owner, Covey. His righteous retaliation was transformative, and Douglass universalized the experience: “A man, without force is without the essential dignity of humanity.”2 Though it may appear odd to begin a chapter on care with a historical figure who is associated with the use of rights, power, and politics, I contend that Douglass’s writings and speeches also employ care,particularly given the entire sweep of his message.3 Douglass did not merely articulate an abstract treatise on political philosophy meant to sway the moral calculations of the audience. He used personal examples with which his audience could identify , at least partially, thus creating the context for connection and empathy. One indication of Douglass’s attempt to make a personal connection is his decision to write three autobiographies rather than one. His evolving thoughts on abolition led to new interpretations of his life, but each biogra01 .9-37/Hamington 4/7/04, 8:17 AM 9 10 embodied care phy is grounded in his experiences. Douglass shares his personal story to connect with his readers while making his political plea. For example, early in The Narrative Douglass recounts the whipping his beloved Aunt Hester received: Before he commenced whipping Aunt Hester, he took her into the kitchen, and stripped her from neck to waist, leaving her neck, shoulders, and back, entirely naked. He then told her to cross her hands, calling her at the same time a d—d b—h.After crossing her hands, he tied them with a strong rope, and led her to a stool under a large hook in the joist,put in for the purpose.He made her get upon the stool and tied her hands to the hook. She now stood fair for his infernal purpose . Her arms were stretched up at their full length, so that she stood upon the ends of her toes.He then said to her,“Now,you d—d b—h,I’ll learn you how to disobey my orders!” and after rolling up his sleeves,he commenced to lay on the heavycowskin,andsoonthewarm,redblood(amidheart-renderingshrieksfrom her,and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor.I was so terrified and horror-stricken at the sight, that I hid myself in a closet, and dared not venture out till long after the bloody transaction was over.4 In Douglass’s wrenching witness, the reader is drawn into the lurid details of Hester’s pain and her young nephew’s fear. It is unlikely that many who read this account or hear it spoken have experienced a whipping of this magnitude, but everyone has experiences of fear and pain that can provide the substance for a visceral reaction. It is this visceral response that provides a physical (embodied) bridge to the compassion and sympathy that Douglass hoped to elicit in his audience.Indeed,to hear this account and not wince with disgust might spur an accusation of noncompassion. Douglass wanted to garner a sympathetic response to make the kind of compassionate connection that would invigorate action on behalf of his cry of injustice. Philip S.Foner attests to the effectiveness of Douglass’s rhetoric in The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglas, which collects a number of firsthand accounts of Douglass’s speaking skills.5 These accounts indicate that Douglass was capable of eliciting laughter, suspense, and tears from his audience as he interjected his personal stories with abolitionist rhetoric. Eric Sundquist argues that it was his ability to mix a moral message with personal narrative that made Douglass a...

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