Frederick Douglass’ Descendant Questions Military’s Commitment to Black History

When the Maryland National Guard told Tarence Bailey Sr. that they would not back a celebration for Frederick Douglass, he couldn't help but take it personally.

There is a straight line between Bailey and Frederick Douglass, the famous abolitionist and civil rights leader. Bailey is a veteran who served in the Maryland National Guard for 10 years. Many people know that Douglass impacted the fight against slavery, but fewer people know how he changed the U.S. military.

During the Civil War, Douglass significantly encouraged Black people to join the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black fighting units in U.S. history. His work allowed thousands of Black men to join the fight for freedom, which changed the military forever.

Along with other children and grandchildren of Black military heroes, Bailey is now worried that the military is less likely to honor these histories.

Bailey told them, "It's disappointing." "Frederick Douglass did more than lead the fight for civil rights. He also worked to get people into the military and was a patriot who fought for his country in his way." Not paying attention to that part of history is unfair to those who fought.

Bailey is worried that this could be the start of a more significant movement by the Maryland National Guard to stop recognizing the accomplishments of Black people in the military. The Guard has not publicly explained its decision.

Black troops have been crucial in U.S. military history, from the late 1800s with the Buffalo troops to World War II with the Tuskegee Airmen. People who want to honor people like Douglass are worried that these accomplishments might be forgotten if they don't get official support.

Bailey made it clear that this wasn't just about Frederick Douglass. "It's to make sure that the sacrifices made by Black service members, both in the past and the present,"

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