Respect History

Garveyite, Douglassionan and Moorish American
William Alston El

There is a gentleman by the name of John Muller, who wrote a book about Frederick Douglass, published in October of 2002.  The title of the book is Frederick Douglass in Washington, DC:  The Lion of Anacostia.

From Amazon:

The remarkable journey of Frederick Douglass from fugitive slave to famed orator and author is well recorded. Yet little has been written about Douglass's final years in Washington, D.C. Journalist John Muller explores how Douglass spent the last eighteen years of his life professionally and personally in his home, Cedar Hill, in Anacostia. The ever-active Douglass was involved in local politics, from aiding in the early formation of Howard University to editing a groundbreaking newspaper to serving as marshal of the District. During this time, his wife of forty-four years, Anna Murray, passed away, and eighteen months later, he married Helen Pitts, a white woman. Unapologetic for his controversial marriage, Douglass continued his unabashed advocacy for the rights of African Americans and women and his belief in American exceptionalism. Through meticulous research, Muller has created a fresh and intimate portrait of Frederick Douglass of Anacostia.

John Muller, assisted in this effort by Frank Faragasso, PhD, Ka'Mal McClarin, PhD, and Clifford L. Muse, PhD, has done thorough and meticulous research on Frederick Douglass, had never heard of Umar Johnson.

John Muller, known throughout Anacostia, Washington, DC for his community work and his social services background, had never heard of Umar Johnson.

John Muller, who is friends with the people from that "hood," talks with the people every day, all the time about Frederick Douglass and Anacostia, Washington, DC including and especially a brother, who recently passed away, named William Alston El, a mainstay in the Anacostia community, had never heard of Umar Johnson.

How can this be?

Perhaps because there is no evidence that Umar Johnson has a family relationship with the Bailey/Douglass family.

Muller says, "I just want the Frederick Douglass scholarship to be right."

Umar Johnson claims that there are many mentions of his cousin Steve.  For one, there is only one casual mention of a Steve in Frederick Douglass's writings, specifically, My Bondage and My Freedom, on page 39 of the book with the ISBN:  0140939188.

Recall that Umar Johnson claims that he is a descendant of Stephen Henry Bailey.  Stephen Henry Bailey is a first cousin of Frederick Douglass, by virtue of their mothers being sisters.

From My Bondage and My Freedom, page 39, by Frederick Douglass:

Affectionately patting me on the head and exhorting me to be a good boy, grandmamma told me to go and play with the little children.  "They are kin to you," said she; "go and play with them."  Among a number of cousins were Phil, Tom, Steve, and Jerry, Nance and Betty.

The above is the only mention by Frederick Douglass in any of his writings about a cousin Steve.

A question.  How does Umar Johnson says he fits into the family?

Umar says he is a descendant of Stephen Henry Bailey.  Stephen Henry Bailey married Caroline Wilson.  They subsequently had 10 children, and I'm not sure if they're listed in birth order, are:

George Washington
Mary
Matthew
Laura Ann
John Henry
Isaac
Andrew
Louisa
Catherine
Dora

Umar claims he is a descendant of Stephen Henry Bailey through George Washington Bailey.  So how is it that the historians and authors, who have studied Frederick Douglass and his family extensively, have never heard of Umar Johnson.





Trueblackanonymous You Tube Channel 
@BLKAnonymous