Houston furthers this opinion, by claiming that "Mrs. Auld, however, in accord with the evangelical codes of her era, has given Doulgass the rudements of a system that leads to intriguing restrictions" (Baker 27). Baker argues that by Douglass adopted the dominant language, therefore, turning his back on a black language. Baker also believes that Douglass may not have written anything unless "urged by white abolitionists who had become the fugitive slave's employers" (29).
Even after reading Baker, our group still feels Frederick Douglass expressed a strong sense of individuality in his writtings and speeches. Firstly, it is unfair to judge Douglass because he chose to write in standard English language because there wasn't a black language avaiable. However, the fact that Douglass learned and used standard Engish doesn't dimish his individuality or devotion to the abolitionist movement. Secondly, even though Douglass was initially encourged by white abolitionist to write his Narrative, his committment to express his personal story and change American's view on slavery went on for decades. Douglass was an intelligent man whose individual story put a personal face on slavery. Baker's petty criticism on Douglass' use of standardized English is without merit in our opinion.
Baker, Houston A." Autobiographical Acts and the Voice of
the Southern Slave." The Journey Back: Issues in Black Literature
1980: 27-52.