CBS News has featured a report on the visit of Frederick Douglass to Ireland on the 175th anniversary of his arrival there.
Nettie Douglass, the leader’s great-great granddaughter was interviewed, saying “Ireland made such an impact on Frederick Douglass. It was at the first time in his life that he was not looked at because of his color. He was treated as a human being, where he said, people looked me in the eye.”
Christine Kinealy of Quinnipiac College was featured, noting that Douglass was surprised by the terribly poverty of the Irish people. Irish Ambassador to the US Daniel Mulhall said that Frederick Douglass story resonates with Irish people today.
Dennis Brownlee, founder of the Irish-American Diaspora Network was also interviewed. “In the times that we’re in, it’s important for all of us to look for ways that we are more alike than different.”