Part 3/11:
Despite the technological limitations of his time, Douglass’s photographs served similar purposes to today’s selfies. He gave away copies of his images, ensuring that his face—and the messages behind it—spread widely. In doing so, Douglass not only challenged dehumanizing stereotypes propagated by racist propaganda but also helped redefine the perception of Black people in America. His photographic presence was a deliberate act of self-presentation, asserting identity and humanity in a society that sought to deny it.