Kant defines enlightenment as “the human beings emergence from his self incurred minority”.  Meaning one does not have the ability to think on their own when they are young and mainly rely on someone else’s opinion.  However, one can not reach enlightenment until one is free.  Kant goes on to define freedom as, “[the ability] make public use of one’s reason in all matters”.  Freedom gives one the ability to think for themselves and make their own judgements.  Kant’s idea is seen in Frederick Douglass’s autobiography.  After being transferred to Baltimore, Douglass is given the opportunity to read and write.  This is where he then learns what his actual role in society is as a slave.  Douglass begins to question the white man’s power to enslave the black man and is determined to escape to obtain his own freedom.  Before he was able to gain an education Douglass did not know how to think for himself and was unaware of his position in society.   Which can relate to Kant’s points of enlightenment and freedom.  Douglass having gained the ability to read and write helped him become free and enlightened.  Douglass is no longer reliant on others to make his decisions and dependent on them for what is right or wrong.  Ultimately Kant’s theory is easily relatable to Douglass’s autobiography and life as a slave.