To define 'minority' it is not so simple to just say, African, Latino, Asian, because in the grand spectrum of the world, these far outnumber what is traditionally thought of as the majority, the Caucasians. So, because the process of defining a people as a minority within the American context is rather subjective and limited only to the factors that govern our particular society we must turn to a slightly more accurate description of a minority. Minorities in America, the true minorities that are not subjective, but objective, are those people and groups that represent something separate from society, either above or below, or parallel, but separate. There are economic minorities, racial minorities, ethnic, religious, gender, age, educational, and intellectual minorities. All of these have an identity within America. For the purposes of this paper, it is intended to examine the concept of 'minority' as being truly defined by those who are able to use their minority status to establish a position of influence and of good. Perhaps, in the most important ways, being able to positively influence those around you is the greatest achievement that a person can realize. These people are, indeed, few - they are a minority. Autobiographies present a personal view of a life that often lacks the kind of unflinching insight that a biography brings. But, the strength of the autobiography is that it presents a person's individual view of their lives. They present stories and details that most others could not know. Both Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Franklin offer autobiographies that provide insight into the very heart and soul of the men. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the works of both men as autobiographies and as writers so as to demonstrate the power of the minority and the strength of the individual - the ultimate minority. 6 pgs, bibliography lists 2 sources.
