Joey Barretta Presents Doctoral Research
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Doctoral student Joey Barretta presented his dissertation research titled “Frederick Douglass on the Necessary Prescriptions of Freedom: Proscriptions for Post-Slavery America” on Nov. 1. Barretta spoke on Douglass’s writings and political philosophy during the post-Civil War and Reconstruction periods.
“While Douglass is best known for his work centered on slavery and his harrowing escape from that institution, this project for America after slavery and emancipation has not been sufficiently examined in other scholarly treatments,” Barretta said.
Barretta argued in his dissertation that Douglass’s plan for reconstruction and reintegration required participation from all members and aspects of American society.
“A careful study of Douglass shows that he had a comprehensive program to attain a more equal station for his race that included reforms in the social, cultural, and political realms,” he said. “An important element of Douglass’s work was his exhortation to all Americans, both white and black, to actively seek to improve themselves and obtain the virtues necessary for citizens living in a republic.”
Barretta also noted that Douglass’s program was influenced by the political theory of the American Founding.
“Douglass’s conception of American society is rooted in his interpretation of the Founding, and he believed that realizing the natural rights principles of the Founding would be instrumental in elevating black people,” Barretta argued.
Parts of Douglass’s plan, Barretta pointed out, included supporting marriage and the family among former slaves, providing access to education, and welcoming former slaves into the American society as equals.
“Douglass wanted Americans to live a life fitting their rational nature and moral capacity,” Barretta argued. “He believed manhood was greater than race. He wanted society to move away from the particulars of race and instead focus on the qualities inherent in human beings by their nature.”
Kevin Portteus, professor of politics and director of American studies at Hillsdale College, served as Barretta’s dissertation chair and introduced the presentation. Portteus said that most current research on Douglass centers on his writings before and during the Civil War, but that Barretta’s dissertation provides crucial analysis of Douglass’s post-Civil War thought.
“Dr. Barretta, by contrast, shows that Douglass had a coherent program for reconstruction of the country after the war, as well as for the integration of millions of black Americans into the fabric of American life,” Portteus said.
Barretta’s presentation marked the first completed dissertation of the academic year at the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. Barretta successfully passed his dissertation defense a week prior to his presentation and will officially receive his doctoral degree in December 2022. The presentation was followed by a brief reception.
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