Our 2017 calendar features American statesman Frederick Douglass and his wise words on the importance of justice and equality.

In 2018 Red Sun featured Frederick Douglass, an icon of justice and statesmanship from America’s past.

After escaping from slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) became one of the most important social reformers, orators and statesman of the 19th century. He dedicated most of his boundless energy to the fight for emancipation and equality, but was also a celebrated spokesman for women’s rights, temperance, peace, land reform, free public education, and the abolition of capital punishment. Douglass believed that photography was important in ending racism and slavery, because the camera would not lie. He was the most photographed person of his time, always looking sternly at the camera to convey the seriousness of his work and life.

“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

For visitors to our shop in Jamaica Plain, another famous quote of Douglass and his celebrated visage will greet you as approach the building!

“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.”